Coroners

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans there are to address the issue identified in the Luce review, Fundamental Review of Death Certification and Coroner Services, June 2003, of a lack of any "consistent response to the wishes, traditions and religious beliefs of minority communities" in the planned reforms of coroners' duties.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The needs of bereaved people are at the forefront of the Government's plans to reform the coroners' system, and part of that is the need to respect the wishes and traditions of minority groups. It is intended to issue statutory national guidance, in the form of a charter, to set out the standards of service that bereaved people will be entitled to in a reformed system.
	A draft charter was published alongside the draft Coroners Bill in June 2006, and it includes a requirement that coroners should, where possible, comply with the wishes, feelings and expectations of the individual, family and community, including preferences, traditions and religious requirements relating to mourning and funerals. The draft Bill will provide bereaved people with a clear legal standing in the investigation, which will allow those who may have particular wishes based on religion to have a better understanding of how the system may affect them, to make their wishes known and, if they choose, to appeal against specified decisions made by coroners.

Coroners

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the implementation of an out-of-hours bereavement service by the coroners service in Coventry to accommodate those from the Jewish and Muslim faiths, which require that a deceased is immediately buried, there are any plans to extend and make compulsory the availability of such services nationwide.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Like several coroners throughout the country, the Coventry coroner has particular local arrangements in place to address the needs of religious groups wherever possible. Coroners are keen to accommodate the needs of bereaved people of any faith wherever their statutory duties to investigate violent or unnatural deaths allow. The draft Charter for Bereaved People, which will be implemented with the Coroners Bill, sets out the national standards of service which the bereaved should expect from a reformed coroners system, and includes the need to take account of a family's religious sensitivities following the death of a loved one. Compliance with the charter will be monitored by the new Chief Coroner, also enabled by the Coroners Bill.

Coroners

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the draft Coroners Bill would not make compulsory the provision of a 24-hour service to accommodate religious sensitivities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Coroners currently provide a service that takes account of the needs of religious sensitivities, particularly the need to release bodies quickly to comply with funeral traditions. The draft Charter for Bereaved People—statutory guidance that will be implemented at the same time as the Coroners Bill—sets out national standards of service which the bereaved should expect from the coroners system. This includes the need to take account of religious sensitivities wherever a coroner's statutory responsibilities to investigate violent or unnatural deaths allow.

Coroners

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are considering any legislation to reform HM Coroners Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Coroners Bill, which was published in draft in June 2006, is in the provisional legislative programme, announced by the Prime Minister on 11 July, for the next parliamentary Session. The Bill aims to strengthen and improve the coroners system by providing an improved service for bereaved people, creating a national framework and leadership while ensuring that the service remains firmly grounded locally, and by giving coroners additional powers so that investigations and inquests are more effective.

Crime: Rape

Baroness Gale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish their response to the consultation document Convicting Rapists and Protecting Victims—Justice for Victims of Rape, which was published in March 2006.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We shall make our views known as soon as possible. We are aware that our published response to this consultation exercise has taken some time to prepare. This is a consequence of the complex issues raised by some of the policy areas discussed in the consultation paper. Our views are now largely settled and we are seeking actively to resolve any outstanding points.

Cyprus: Human Rights

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch- Brown on 11 July (WA 221), what assessment they have made of (a) the infringement of the human rights of Turkish Cypriots during the period 1963 to 1974; (b) how such infringement, if any, was manifested; and (c) the impact of EOKA-B on Turkish Cypriots during that period; and how these assessments have informed their policy of non-recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government deeply regret the suffering endured by both communities as a result of inter-communal violence during the period 1963 to 1974. The issues that continue to divide the two parties will be fully resolved only through a comprehensive and durable solution. We will continue to provide all possible support to the efforts of the two communities and the United Nations to rebuild trust and end the division of the island.

Driving: Over-75s

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the death and serious injury rates and conviction rates for motoring offences by drivers over the age of 75 compare with other driver age groups, in particular with the group aged between 17 and 24 years.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested is given in the tables.
	
		
			 Estimated number of drivers in reported fatal or serious personal injury road accidents per million licence holders, by age: GB 2005 
			 Driver age Drivers1 in fatal or serious accidents per million licence holders2 
			 17-24 2,702 
			 25-29 1,410 
			 30-39 1,099 
			 40-59 849 
			 60-75 554 
			 76+ 574 
			 Source: DfT1. Includes drivers of motor vehicles, excluding motorcycles.2 Full car licence holders only 
		
	
	Conviction rates for motoring offences, by age: England and Wales 2004
	
		
			 Relevant indictable motoring offences1 
			 Age Total offences proceeded against at the Crown Court Total offences for which found guilty Conviction offence rate Convictions per million licence holders 
			 17-24 198 148 75% 62 
			 76+ 5 4 — 3 3 
			 All ages 519 363 70% 14 
		
	
	
		
			 Age Total offences proceeded against in the magistrates' courts Total offences for which found guilty2 Conviction Offence rate Conviction per million licence holders4 
			 17-24 626,718 423,031 67% 76,036 
			 76+ 3,068 1,917 62% 514 
			 All ages 2,295,588 1,549,204 67% 29,017 
			 Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform1 Indictable offences of: (i) causing death by dangerous driving; (ii) causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs; (iii) causing bodily harm by furious driving.2 In magistrates' courts and the Crown Court. Those found guilty in the Crown Court may have been committed for trial from a magistrates' court in a previous year. 3 Numbers are too small to compute a meaningful rate.4 Calculated by DfT using 2005 National Travel Survey car licence holder data.Note 1: It is known that, for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates' courts case management system being implemented by the Ministry of Justice reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated.Note 2: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Education: East of England

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much, on a per head of population basis, each county in the East of England region received from central government for education in the last financial year.

Lord Adonis: The figures in the table below show the funding per pupil that local authorities in the East of England received in 2006-07. The figures cover funding through the dedicated schools grant, the school standards grant, the school standards grant (personalisation), the Standards Fund and from the Learning and Skills Council for pupils in schools.
	
		
			 Local Authority 2006-07 per pupil funding (£) 
			 Bedfordshire 4,220 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,980 
			 Essex 4,180 
			 Hertfordshire 4,300 
			 Luton 4,510 
			 Norfolk 4,140 
			 Peterborough 4,560 
			 Southend-on-Sea 4,450 
			 Suffolk 4,080 
			 Thurrock 4,250 
			 Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest £10

Energy: Off-grid Households

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many households in the United Kingdom are not connected to national distribution networks for water and electricity; and
	What incentives they offer households to manage their own energy and water needs off-grid and off-mains; and whether this way of living makes any contribution to energy and resource security in the United Kingdom; and
	What estimate they have made of the savings in energy and emissions achieved each year by the lifestyle choices of off-grid and off-mains households and communities.

Lord Rooker: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform leads on issues of electricity network transmission. Defra does not hold statistics for the number of houses off the electricity grid and has made no estimate of the average energy efficiency or carbon dioxide emissions from homes unconnected to mains electricity supply. The Government do not provide incentives for householders to manage their own energy needs.
	The requirements of Part L of the building regulations, which sets requirements for energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions, apply to all homes regardless of whether they are connected to mains energy supplies. Nevertheless, developers are reasonably free to determine how to meet the requirements of Part L.
	The Code for Sustainable Homes and the draft planning policy statement on climate change are designed to cut carbon emissions from new homes and promote low- and zero-carbon homes in the period up until 2016, when the Government have proposed that all new homes will be zero-carbon.
	It is estimated that there are around 50,000 private water supplies serving about 0.6 per cent of the population in England and Wales. No estimate has been made about the water efficiency of these dwellings, and they are not subject to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
	The Government do not provide incentives to manage the use of non-mains-supplied water. They encourage all households to value water resources and to be aware of the need for water conservation. Where non-mains water supplies are used within households, it is vital that only wholesome drinking water is used for domestic purposes, in order to protect public health.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 12 July (WA 242), whether the research project into the measurement of dental fluorosis and its aesthetic impact is the only research into the effects of water fluoridation that they envisage carrying out following the 2006 report by the United States National Research Council, whose recommendations Lord Warner, in his Written Answer on 24 July 2006 (WA 239), said they would be "taking ... into account in the development of our own research programme".

Lord Darzi of Denham: We are also considering a wider programme of research in consultation with specialists in dentistry and health services research, including a project on the impact of fluoridation on the levels and distribution of dental caries among children, its cost benefits and the extent to which any benefits continue into adulthood.

Health: Clinical Academics

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the relatively small number of academic clinical fellowships, clinical lectureships and senior lectureships which have been approved, what steps they are taking to address the increasing numbers of medical students and the declining and ageing population of clinical academics.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department and the Higher Education Funding Council for England will provide funding to support the appointment of 250 academic clinical fellowships and 100 clinical lectureships in each of the next five years, and up to 200 senior lectureships over 10 years. This is in response to the report Medically and Dentally Qualified Academic Staff: Recommendations for Training the Researchers and Educators of the Future, of March 2005.
	The approved posts are one means to recruit clinical academics but, as the report states, this should not exclude or preclude other means of entering and pursuing a career in clinical academia. For example, through the Government's health research strategy Best Research for Best Health, launched in January 2006, further support will be provided for academic training paths of all healthcare professionals to address the decline in clinical academic numbers.
	Employers and higher education institutions need to also consider what steps they need to take to put in place attractive employment packages to attract high calibre people into the academic workforce.

Health: Junior Doctors

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide in future years for a significant number of entry points above specialty training year 1 for (a) those doctors who secure fixed-term specialty training appointments this year; (b) those doctors who have not secured a specialty training post; and (c) those staff and associate specialist doctors who wish to return to the training grades.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department is currently considering the issue of entry points higher than ST1 for future years, pending the recommendations of the modernising medical careers review, chaired by Professor Sir John Tooke.

Health: Podiatry

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have assessed the extent to which moving the funding for podiatric care for diabetics from secondary to the primary sector will, as the National Health Service publication Diabetic Foot Guide acknowledges, impact adversely on the success of the hospital-based multi-disciplinary teams for diabetic foot care; and what action they have taken to address any adverse effect.

Lord Darzi of Denham: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 25 June 2007 (Official Report, col. WA 96).

Israel and Palestine: Rafah

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What response they received from the Government of Israel when the United Kingdom embassy in Israel on 28 June raised the issues of the closure of Rafah crossing point and of the Agreement on Movement and Access generally.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have had numerous discussions with the Government of Israel on the issue of movement and access for Palestinians within and between the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The meeting on 28 June between officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Foreign Ministry was a continuation of these discussions. The Israeli authorities have informed us that they will continue to work with President Abbas to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian population. We will continue to call on all parties to work towards an opening of the crossings in and out of Gaza both for humanitarian and commercial flows. There is an urgent need to reopen the Rafah crossing point, and the EU is ready to resume the full activities of the EU Border Assistance Mission Rafah as soon as conditions allow.

Mercury: Barometers

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Parliament will be given an opportunity to vote on the proposed European Union regulation banning the sale of new mercury barometers and thermometers.

Lord Rooker: During negotiations, the legislation was subjected to normal parliamentary scrutiny procedures, passing through the Lords Select Committee on the European Union in November 2006 and the European scrutiny committee in another place in October 2006.
	The proposals were recently accepted by the Environment Council and MEPs in the European Parliament, voting in plenary. The dossier has now been finalised, and the text will shortly appear in the EU Official Journal. There will be no further opportunity for changes.

Mercury: Barometers

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they were able to form a view on the justification for banning the manufacture of mercury barometers for domestic use if there is no estimate of the numbers of such barometers made.

Lord Rooker: We formed a view on banning the sale of new mercury barometers for domestic use in line with the principle that underlies the new EU chemicals policy set out in REACH. We cannot justify the continued use of a persistent, bio-accumulative, highly toxic material for a non-essential use, when fully acceptable alternatives are available.

Northern Ireland: Captain Nairac

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it remains their intention to bring to justice all those who were responsible for the killing of Captain Nairac.

Lord Rooker: The Historical Enquiries Team is chronologically working through 3,268 cases, reviewing each in the hope of identifying new investigative opportunities. The murder of Captain Nairac is one of those cases.

Schools: Academies

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 16 July (WA 7), whether, for the convenience of Members who receive Hansard by post and others with an interest in academy schools who do not have access to the Library of the House, he will place the information to which he referred in the Official Report.

Lord Adonis: Responses to Written Questions exceeding four pages are placed in the Library and are not published in the Official Report. My office will contact the noble Lord to arrange access to that information.

Traffic Commissioners

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 24 July (WA 84) on traffic commissioners, whether, as the formulation of future government policy may take some time, they have proposals to respond to the traffic commissioners' annual reports promptly and publicly.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government do not issue a formal response to the traffic commissioners' annual reports. However, the consultation document Strengthening Local Delivery—Modernising the Traffic Commissioner System, published on 26 July, and the European Commission proposal on the access to the occupation of road transport operator, published on 23 May, address issues highlighted in the annual reports.

Transport: Drivers' Hours

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 July (HL5034), whether on-the-spot fines will reflect the competitive advantage gained by non-compliant hauliers or their drivers.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The department is currently consulting about on-the-spot fines, and the levels will be determined once the consultation has concluded.

Transport: Freight

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps with their international partners to achieve a higher rate of freight transport by ships than by aviation in the long term.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The UK is working closely with the EU on the TEN-T programme, which is providing funding for Motorways of the Sea projects, and on the Marco Polo initiative, which is providing support to short sea shipping projects. The aim of these projects is to encourage a modal shift from other, less sustainable, types of freight transport.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 5 July (WA 190), of the heavy goods vehicles involved in accidents in 2006, how many were left-hand drive.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: With reference to my earlier Answer, on 5 July (WA 190), in Great Britain in 2006 there were 361 heavy goods vehicles in reported personal injury road accidents in which a pedestrian or pedal cyclist was killed or seriously injured. Of these heavy goods vehicles, eight were foreign-registered and left-hand drive.
	In 2006, a total of 11,336 heavy goods vehicles were involved in road accidents, of which 979 were foreign-registered and left-hand drive.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their current assessment of the integrity of the digital tachographs used in heavy goods vehicles.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We are satisfied that the digital tachograph represents an improvement on the analogue tachograph. We will keep abreast of developments both domestically and at international levels.

Young Offender Institutions: Rochester

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 12 July (WA 252), for how long the young offenders will have no access to sporting facilities whilst the building work takes place; and what arrangements will be made whilst the work takes place to ensure that all young offenders held at Rochester young offender institution have access to sporting facilities in the open air.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Access to sporting facilities in the open air for young offenders held at Rochester young offender institution will continue to be available during the build programme, and no reduction in the availability of open-air sporting facility is foreseen. The present PE regime will not be disrupted, despite the unavailability of the large football pitch on the sports field. There are two five-a-side football pitches—one all-weather—which are, and will continue to be, available for use.
	Answers received between Monday 30 July and Friday 3 August 2007

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have assessed the implications of the conclusion by the Local Government Association in their 2000 report A New Future for Allotments 2000 that "understanding the legislation is often a major—and sometimes an insurmountable—first hurdle for local authorities wanting to tackle their allotments responsibilities" and what steps they have taken since 2000 to deal with this situation.

Baroness Andrews: We considered the options for consolidating existing allotment legislation in 2000 and we agreed then with the Local Government Association that this would not necessarily improve the management and protection of allotments. It was decided that the best way to clarify the legislation was by promoting best practice within local authorities. We have done this by publishing Growing in the Community: A Good Practice Guide for the Management of Allotments in 2001 (an update is currently being drafted) and Allotments: A Plot Holder's Guide in 2001, and a revised edition this year.

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, further to their response to the report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs, The Future for Allotments (Session 1997-98, HC Paper 560-1), they still have the option of new legislation concerning allotments under review.

Baroness Andrews: We do not have any current plans for new allotment legislation. Following the Select Committee report we considered options for consolidating legislation, but it was decided that the best way to clarify the legislation was by promoting best practice within local authorities. We have done this by publishing Growing in the Community: A Good Practice Guide for the Management of Allotments in 2001 and Allotments: A Plot Holder's Guide in 2001. It should be recognised that allotments already enjoy far greater protection than other green spaces.

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total number of people currently on waiting lists for allotments in each local authority in England.

Baroness Andrews: We do not have centrally held figures for the number of people on waiting lists for allotments. Local authorities are responsible for keeping figures on waiting lists, and we do not require them to provide central government or Government Offices with this information. Waiting list numbers change regularly in line with local demand and it would be burdensome to require local authorities to provide this level of detail.
	A summary of the Survey of Allotments, Community Gardens and City Farms, published 2006, showed that the average number of people on local authority waiting lists was 59. Almost one-third of survey respondents had 10 people or fewer on their list, and 51 per cent had more than 200 people on their list. Local authorities should be continuously improving any allotment sites which may be vacant or in disrepair so that the whole community can benefit and waiting lists are reduced across their area. We are working with our partners to promote and share best practice within local authorities.

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the carbon emissions reduction that would be achieved each year if all of those currently on waiting lists for allotments were given access to them.

Lord Rooker: No such estimate has been made.

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the research undertaken by the London Assembly Environment Committee that suggests a loss of 6.9 per cent of allotment plots in London between 1996 and 2006; and how many people are currently on waiting lists for allotment plots in London.

Baroness Andrews: We contributed to the research undertaken by the London Assembly Environment Committee. We welcome the research and are considering the implications of the report for national allotment policy.
	We do not have centrally held figures for the number of people on waiting lists for allotments in London. Local authorities are responsible for keeping figures on waiting lists, and we do not require them to provide central government or Government offices with this information. Waiting list numbers change regularly in line with local demand and it would be burdensome to require local authorities to provide this level of detail. The London Assembly Environment Committee report (October 2006) states that (based on a survey of the 33 London boroughs) there are 4,300 people waiting for allotments across London.
	Local authorities should be continuously improving any allotment sites which may be vacant or in disrepair so that the whole community can benefit and waiting lists are reduced across their area. We are working with our partners to promote and share best practice within local authorities.

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to increase the number of allotment sites in the City of Westminster from zero; and how many inquiries have been made about allotment provision to Westminster City Council in recent years.

Baroness Andrews: Provision of allotments is the responsibility of local authorities and we are not aware of how many inquiries have been received by the local authority. For inner London boroughs, the provision of allotments on demand is discretionary, not mandatory.

Armed Forces: Warrior Fighting Vehicles

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many United Kingdom soldiers have been treated for heat stress immediately after periods spent working in Warrior vehicles; and
	Whether they have any plans to replace or upgrade air conditioning systems in the Warrior fighting vehicle.

Lord Drayson: Warrior vehicles currently deployed on operations have been or are being fitted with an environmental cooling unit that is designed to provide air at 25 degrees below the ambient temperature to both the crew compartment and the driver. Changes to this system will be considered as part of the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme.
	The number of servicemen sustaining heat injuries after working in a Warrior vehicle is not held centrally. To obtain these details would require the examination of the individual medical records of each injured serviceman since Warriors' introduction into service in 1987. These records could only be viewed for non-clinical reasons with the express consent of the individual concerned, to protect patient confidentiality. To do so would incur disproportionate effort.

Army: Combating Racism

Lord Sheikh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they are doing to combat possible racism in the Household Division; and whether through enhanced public relations they are tackling any perception of racism in the Army by promoting awareness of the Army and its values.

Lord Drayson: The Army has a policy of zero tolerance on all forms of prejudice, harassment and bullying. Any allegations are thoroughly investigated and action is taken where appropriate. To reinforce the Army's core values and standards, and to ensure that all personnel are aware of current equality and diversity policy and their obligation to comply with it, they are required to undertake annual training. These provisions apply equally in the Household Division as they do to the rest of the Army. All Army recruitment initiatives have a clear diversity dimension and through efforts such as media campaigns, work in schools and with ethnic minority communities, a positive perception is being given and more young people are seeing the Army as a career option of first choice.

Bridges Community Ventures

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated internal rate of return per annum to date, taking realised capital returns and unrealised capital appreciation or depreciation together, on the £20 million of taxpayers' money invested in Bridges Community Ventures Limited.

Lord Drayson: The Government do not calculate mid-term estimates of the internal rate of return (IRR) for any of their portfolio of equity funds.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the Coal Health Compensation Schemes report by the National Audit Office, published on 18 July, and in particular its findings that in the British Coal Respiratory Disease Litigation (a) 69 per cent of claimants awarded compensation received less than the average cost of administering claims, and (b) the average cost of processing each such claim was £3,200.

Lord Drayson: That many claimants receive less than the average cost of administering claims reflects the complex nature of the High Court ruling against British Coal in the respiratory disease litigation. Each claim is assessed individually and takes into account a number of factors including employment and medical histories. The department has sought to minimise the administrative costs of the scheme but these costs indicate the scale and complexity of the process required.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the findings in the Coal Health Compensation Schemes report by the National Audit Office, published on 18 July, that the total forecast cost of administering the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and British Coal vibration white finger litigation will be £2.3 billion.

Lord Drayson: The department accepts the National Audit Office's observations on what we might have done differently before and during the start-up of the schemes. However, the level of administration costs reflects the size and scale of the schemes. The department has developed processes to help reduce both administrative costs and the timescale for claims, such as the fast-track option for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which the department developed from its experiences administering the scheme. The department secured a reduction in the solicitors' tariffs for fast-track claims, reducing the overall bill by £100 million, and is currently negotiating the tariff to be paid for vibration white finger services claims.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the legal services provided by Nabarro solicitors in the negotiation of a tariff for claimants' solicitors' fees in the British Coal vibration white finger litigation in 1998 and 1999, having regard to the Boys Smith report cited in the Coal Health Compensation Schemes report by the National Audit Office, published on 18 July, and their findings about the preparation by Nabarro solicitors on behalf of the former Department of Trade and Industry; and whether they intend to take independent legal advice in the matter.

Lord Drayson: The National Audit Office report notes that Nabarro assisted in the negotiation of solicitor costs for the vibration white finger scheme but makes clear that those negotiations were conducted initially by IRISC and concluded by the former Department of Trade and Industry.
	While the department reviews the work of all its contractors as part of its normal business, I see no need to carry out a review of the work of one specific adviser in this period or take independent legal advice on it.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total sum, by way of legal and other fees, paid to the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and its claims handling company, Vendside Limited, in respect of the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and British Coal vibration white finger litigation.

Lord Drayson: The total amount of legal fees paid to the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and to Vendside Limited in respect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and vibration white finger (VWF) under the coal health compensation schemes as at 22 July 2007 are shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Total Costs Paid 
			 Claimants' Representative COPD VWF 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers/Vendside £24,551,691 £7,769,791

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total amount of legal costs paid to (a) Beresfords; (b) Raleys; (c) Wake Smith; (d) Ashton Morton Slack; (e) Avalon; (f) Thompsons; (g) Mark Gilbert Morse; (h) Watson Burton; (h) Graysons; (i) Simpson Millar; (j) BRM Solicitors; (k) Moss Legal LLP; (l) Corries; (m) Barber & Company; (n) Hugh James; (o) Browell Smith & Company; and (q) Oxley & Coward in respect of the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and British Coal vibration white finger litigation.

Lord Drayson: The total amount of legal fees paid to the solicitors listed above in respect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and vibration white finger (VWF) under the coal health compensation schemes as at 22 July 2007 are shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Total Solicitors Costs Paid 
			 Solicitor COPD VWF 
			 (a) Beresfords Solicitors £118,129,088 £5,249,722 
			 (b) Raleys Solicitors £68,679,482 £9,453,427 
			 (c) Wake Smith £8,614,832 £233,678 
			 (d) Ashton Morton Slack LLP £13,251,120 £2,375,805 
			 (e) Avalon Solicitors £37,415,658 £114,409 
			 (f) Thompsons Solicitors £112,322,892 £19,244,345 
			 (g) Mark Gilbert Morse £54,037,971 £22,107 
			 (h) Watson Burton LLP £27,310,856 £5,198,446 
			 (i) Graysons Solicitors £23,993,718 £7,740,391 
			 (j) Simpson Millar Solicitors £4,236,309 £142,673 
			 (k) BRM Solicitors £10,231,952 £8,496 
			 (l) Moss Solicitors £12,799,287 £4,190,064 
			 (m) Corries £19,055,623 £2,109,639 
			 (n) Barber & Co £24,213,612 — 
			 (o)Hugh James £89,332,710 £8,752,659 
			 (p) Browell Smith & Co £47,613,563 £10,907,575 
			 (q) Oxley & Coward Solicitors £2,062,468 £1,479,954

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the average sums paid in respect of claimants represented by (a) Beresfords; (b) Aston Morton Slack; (c) Moss Legal LLP; (d) Avalon; (e) Union of Democratic Workers/Vendside Limited; and (f) Barber & Company by way of compensation and legal costs in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation.

Lord Drayson: The average sums paid in respect of legal fees for firms listed above under the coal health compensation schemes as at 22 July 2007 are shown in the table below:
	
		
			 Claimants' Representative Average Damages Paid Average Costs Paid 
			 (a) Beresfords Solicitors £2,289 £2,264 
			 (b) Ashton Morton Slack LLP £2,690 £1,998 
			 (c) Moss Solicitors £3,505 £2,086 
			 (d) Avalon Solicitors £1,869 £2,111 
			 (e) UDM/Vendside £3,083 £1,762 
			 (f) Barber & Co £2,458 £2,335

Crime: Computer Misuse

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in light of the recent statistics showing a rise in crime related to computing, they will review existing computer crime legislation and assess the effectiveness of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Lord West of Spithead: The Government are committed to ensuring that actions should be legal or illegal according to their merits, rather than the medium used. As such, all legislation criminalises offences regardless of the means used to commit the offence. Where there is a need to revise legislation to take account of new criminal techniques we seek to do so. We liaise regularly with the prosecution and law enforcement authorities to ensure the criminal law remains fit for purpose.
	Although the law relating to e-crime is generally fit for purpose, we have recently legislated, in the Police and Justice Act 2006, to reform the criminal law to ensure that the Computer Misuse Act 1990 is strengthened. In addition, the Fraud Act 2006 has created a general offence of fraud that will deal with such crimes in a technology-neutral way. It will also ensure that the offence continues to be relevant as methods and technologies deployed by fraudsters change and develop. The Act also created other new offences including a new offence of possessing articles for use in fraud, and a new offence of making or supplying articles for use in fraud. These offences will also assist in tackling online fraudsters.

Defence Industrial Strategy

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the Ministry of Defence's interim policy paper, following the Defence Industrial Strategy, on the engagement and involvement in the supply chain of small and medium enterprises.

Lord Drayson: MoD's policy on engagement and involvement in the supply chain of small and medium enterprises will be set out in the update of the Defence Industrial Strategy. The update will be published in December and a copy will be made available in the Library of the House.

Employment Tribunals

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish a list of new jurisdictions acquired by industrial and employment tribunals in each of the years 1972 to 2006, and the legal source of each such jurisdiction where that information is available.

Lord Drayson: The Government do not hold this information in the form you seek. However, a full list of the jurisdictions currently heard in employment tribunals can be found on the Tribunals Service website at http//www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/about_us/jurisdiction_list.htm, and this is updated as necessary. A copy of this information has been placed in the Library.

Energy: Light Bulbs

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the rate of introduction of lower carbon energy efficient light bulbs in United Kingdom households is satisfactory; and whether the efforts of private industry will be supplemented by further official actions to persuade consumers.

Lord Rooker: UK sales of energy-efficient light bulbs doubled between 2000 and 2006 with the number in use in people's homes rising from 26 million to 108 million. We recognise that more can be done and are actively working with other government departments, manufacturers and retailers to phase out the use of inefficient light bulbs. We are currently discussing with UK retailers and manufacturers how they might voluntarily phase out inefficient light bulbs in the UK by 2011 for almost all domestic use where an efficient alternative exists.
	The European Union (EU) is also working to remove inefficient light bulbs from the EU market. It aims to complete the necessary legislative process by 2010, after which inefficient light bulbs will be phased out over a number of years.

Energy: Severn Barrage

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are still of the opinion that a Severn barrage is not viable for the reasons given by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 21 March (Official Report, col. 131).

Lord Drayson: Since March 2006, we have completed an energy review and published our energy White Paper. The context in which we need to meet our two long-term energy challenges of tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy is evolving. In particular, there is the growing evidence of climate change, rising fossil fuel prices and our heightened awareness of risks arising from the concentration of the world's remaining oil and gas reserves in fewer regions around the world.
	It is against this background that the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) working together with my department, the Welsh Assembly Government, the devolved Administrations and the South West Regional Development Agency, is undertaking a study of tidal power in the UK. The study is looking in some detail at the issues arising on tidal power and will provide a strategic, independent and evidence-based consideration of all the environmental, social and economic aspects of options for tidal power in the Severn estuary from a sustainable development perspective. The final report is expected to be published in September and further details of the study can be seen at www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/tidal.html.
	The Severn barrage is a complex scheme and any assessment of its viability would not rest solely on its economics. Whether or not the position has altered since my noble friend made his comments is something that the SDC's report should help us better understand.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they reconcile the statement by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon in her Written Answer on 12 July (WA 242) that dental fluorosis does not affect "the extra resistance to dental decay that is provided by exposure to fluoride", with the finding by the United States National Research Council (US NRC) that the evidence is "mixed but generally supportive" of a greater frequency of caries in those with severe enamel fluorosis, of which the US NRC in 2006 found infants and young children at risk.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The United States National Research Council was asked by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address any adverse health effects on fluoride at the high levels which occur naturally in some supplies in the United States of America. In particular the report looks at whether the EPA's maximum permitted level of fluoride in drinking water of 4 milligrammes per litre should be adjusted. In the United Kingdom there is a legal requirement for fluoride levels in drinking water not to exceed 1.5 mg per litre and, in supplies which are artificially fluoridated, the target concentration is lower, at 1 mg per litre. Any research findings in relation to the current high levels of fluoride permitted in the USA are not directly applicable to the UK.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Warner on 24 July 2006 (WA 240) and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 12 July (WA 242) on fluoridation, whether infants and young children will be affected by fluoridated water at the standard 1 part per million (ppm) to the same degree as will adults at 3-4 ppm, in view of the finding by the National Research Council of the United States Academy of Sciences in its report of March 2006 that they "have approximately three to four times greater exposure" to fluoride on a per-body-weight basis than do adults.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The one proven side effect of water fluoridation is dental fluorosis and, while the risk is less at the 1 part per million concentration used here, we accept that some children in fluoridated areas will be affected. It appears that people with the flecking of the teeth characteristic of mild fluorosis are seldom concerned about the appearance of their teeth, but in order to test this assumption we have funded a research project involving the use of intra-oral cameras and automated software in order to obtain consistent readings in surveys of levels of dental fluorosis. If the project is successful, we intend that the photographs are used in a further study to assess the aesthetic impact of fluorosis. Unlike the United States, levels of fluoride concentration of 3 to 4 ppm are not found in drinking water in the United Kingdom so comparison with the National Research Council report is inappropriate.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Warner on 24 July 2006 (WA 240) and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 12 July (WA 242) on fluoridation, what is their response to possible health concerns in respect of infants and young children, in areas where the United States National Research Council found potential risks with fluoride levels of 4 ppm, which included bone strength, IQ, brain chemistry and function, and thyroid and other endocrine functions.

Lord Darzi of Denham: In the United Kingdom there is a legal requirement for fluoride levels in drinking water not to exceed 1.5 milligrams per litre. In supplies, which are artificially fluoridated, the target concentration is lower at 1 milligram per litre. Any research findings in relation to the current high levels of fluoride permitted in the United States are not directly applicable to the UK. A systematic review of public water fluoridation published by the University of York in 2000 found no significant association between water fluoridation and thyroid disorders, bone disease or any systemic disease but called for further research to strengthen the evidence base. Water Fluoridation and Health, published by the Medical Research Council in 2002, endorsed York's recommendation on the need for further research and we are committed to a continuing programme of research on the effects of fluoridation on health.

Food: Labelling

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold talks with United Kingdom food and drink industry representatives to increase public usage of the new guideline daily amount nutrition labels.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The Government have engaged with food manufacturers and retailers since work on front-of-pack signposting schemes first began in 2004 and continue to be in regular dialogue with industry on this matter.

Government: Secretary of State for Defence

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In what proportions the Secretary of State for Defence and for Scotland plans to divide his working time between those two responsibilities.

Lord Drayson: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for Scotland plans to devote the appropriate amount of time to each role. In discharging his responsibilities he is supported in the Ministry of Defence by myself, my right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces and the Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Veterans and, in the Scotland Office, by the Minister of State.

Health: Black and Ethnic Minority Patients

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to increase the number of primary care trusts which operate a Race for Health programme for black and ethnic minority patients.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Currently, 15 primary care trusts are taking part in the Race for Health programme. There are plans to increase this number in the near future.

Health: Blood Donation

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of blood and blood products used by the National Health Service comes from donations made in the United Kingdom; and
	How the proportion of blood and blood products currently used by the National Health Service originating from donations made in the United Kingdom differs from the proportion of the same five, 10 and 20 years ago.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Blood Service is responsible for managing the blood supply in England and North Wales. All red blood cells and platelets provided to the National Health Service in England and north Wales come from United Kingdom donors. There has been no change in this source of supply over the last 20 years.
	Bio Products Laboratory (BPL) provides a range of blood products for the NHS and customers abroad. BPL operates in a competitive market, and the NHS has always been able to source blood products from a range of suppliers. Commercial products are derived from non-UK sources. Since September 1999, BPL has imported blood products from the United States of America for fractionation to manufacture all of its blood products. Previously BPL used plasma from UK donors.
	Clinicians have been able to directly procure blood products from other sources and data on their use are not collected.

Health: Blood Donation

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much is spent annually on advertising and marketing blood donation.

Lord Darzi of Denham: In 2006-07, the National Blood Service spent £2.5 million on media advertising to encourage blood donation.

Health: Cancer Treatment

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which advice takes precedence in managing cancer treatment-related anaemia: that of the Chief Medical Officer to conserve blood stocks or cost-effectiveness guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the use of Erythropoietin.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet issued final guidance to the National Health Service. In reaching its draft recommendations on the clinical and cost effectiveness of erythropoietin in the management of treatment-induced anaemia, I understand that NICE's appraisal committee has considered the impact of its guidance on blood stocks and their availability.

Health: Cost-effectiveness

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will encourage the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to appraise cost-effectiveness with reference to the actual price paid for treatment by the National Health Service.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal describes all aspects of appraisal methodology, including the principles and methods of health technology assessment. The guide states that "estimates of ... prices for particular resources should be used consistently across appraisals", and that the institute uses the "public list price" of a treatment when conducting its appraisals. The guide is published on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=201973.
	NICE is currently undertaking a review of its Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal, which underpins the technology appraisal programme. NICE expects to commence a three-month public consultation on its findings in November 2007.

Health: East of England

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much, on a per head of population basis, each county in the East of England region received from central government for National Health Service services in the last financial year.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table gives details of the allocation per head for primary care trusts (PCTs) in the East of England for the year 2006-07.
	
		
			 PCT name 2006-07 allocation per head (£) 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 1,073 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 1,065 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 1,119 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 1,298 
			 Luton PCT 1,225 
			 Mid Essex PCT 1,044 
			 Norfolk PCT 1,176 
			 North East Essex PCT 1,248 
			 Peterborough PCT 1,332 
			 South East Essex PCT 1,228 
			 South West Essex PCT 1,208 
			 Suffolk PCT 1,121 
			 West Essex PCT 1,214 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 1,165 
			 Source:  Financial Planning and Allocations (FID-FP&A)

Health: Erythropoietin

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the preliminary recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, if it permits erythropoietins only for Jehovah's Witnesses, would require medical professionals to discriminate against all other faith or non-faith groups.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet issued final guidance. NICE published its appraisal consultation document on erythropoietins in the treatment of cancer treatment-induced anaemia on 29 June and the consultation ended on 23 July 2007. Subject to appeals, NICE expects to publish final guidance to the National Health Service later this year.

Health: Erythropoietin

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the survey of National Health Service professionals undertaken in July by Professor Nick Bosanquet, which shows that clinicians frequently use erythropoietins to manage blood stocks; and what impact negative guidance on erythropoietin would have on this practice.

Lord Darzi of Denham: On 29 June 2007, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its preliminary recommendations on the use of erythropoietin for the treatment of anaemia induced by cancer treatment. As part of its appraisal process NICE considers all the evidence supplied by individuals or organisations.
	The National Blood Service is responsible for managing the blood supply in England and north Wales. Blood stocks are sufficient and NHS trusts are continuing to receive all the blood they need.

Health: Ovarian Cancer

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether women with ovarian cancer are recognised as a distinct subgroup of cancer patients; and what is their response to the rejection of this group by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the basis of there being no biologically plausible survival benefit, as described in the national institute's consultation document.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet issued final guidance to the National Health Service on the clinical and cost effectiveness of erythropoietins in the management of cancer treatment-induced anaemia. NICE issued an appraisal consultation document on 29 June which included consideration of a sub-group of patients with ovarian cancer. NICE's Appraisal Committee will consider the responses received to its consultation and expects to issue final guidance later this year.

Health: Regulation of Professionals

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the regulation of healthcare professionals is still a reserved power in all four countries of the United Kingdom in the light of recent devolution legislation.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Under the Scotland Act 1998 the Scottish Parliament was given legislative powers for the regulation of those healthcare professions that were not the subject of legislation in Parliament on the principal appointed day for the coming into force of that Act.
	The position in Northern Ireland was not affected. The regulation of healthcare professions is a transferred matter on which the Northern Ireland Assembly has competence to legislate.
	Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, the National Assembly for Wales may be given the power to pass legislative measures in certain areas, including "health and health services". No Legislative Competence Order or Act has been passed amending Schedule 5 of the 2006 Act in respect of the regulation of healthcare professionals and this therefore remains a reserved matter.

Health: Regulation of Professionals

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what process members were appointed to the seven work streams of the National Advisory Group on Professional Regulation.

Lord Darzi of Denham: On 5 June 2007 the department held an inclusive stakeholder conference where views were sought on taking forward the implementation of the White Paper. Groups represented at the conference included patient and public interest groups; national bodies and expert resources; National Health Service and other healthcare bodies; the Department of Health and other government departments; and professional associations and representative bodies.
	The intention is that future meetings of the national advisory group and the seven working groups will be as inclusive as possible, while keeping numbers in the working groups at a manageable level. Proposals for the membership and terms of reference of the national working groups were presented at the conference and views and expressions of interest sought. The detailed membership and terms of reference of the working groups are now being finalised by the department, working with the chairs and taking into account views expressed by stakeholders.

Health: Regulation of Professionals

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will ensure that all the regulators of healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom have the same range of sanctions.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The recent White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety: TheRegulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century, set out the need to ensure that there is consistency in the handling of cases by all healthcare professional regulators. Options for achieving this, including the question of sanctions, will be considered by the relevant working groups charged with implementing the recommendations. They are expected to report in due course.

House of Lords: Select Committees

Lord Williams of Elvel: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether there is a convention that membership of the European Union Committee and the Science and Technology Committee is reserved to Back-Bench Members; and, if so, whether this convention is being observed.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The membership of Select Committees is agreed by the House usually upon report from the Committee of Selection. It is unusual for Members of the Front Benches to be appointed on to Select Committees but there is no rule that would prevent this.

Housing: New Homes

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they took account of immigration when drawing up their plans for providing three million new homes by 2020; and, if so, what was the net annual immigration figure used.

Baroness Andrews: The housing Green Paper published on 23 July, Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable, set out a target to increase housing supply to 240,000 extra homes per annum by 2016. In setting that target we took account of household projections, which are produced by Communities and Local Government based on population projections (2004-based) from the Office for National Statistics. Those population projections assume a long-term net migration into England of 130,000 per annum.
	The household projections (2004-based) indicate that an average of 223,000 extra households will form each year over the next 20 years. The principal drivers of the increase in the number of households are increasing longevity and a significant increase in one-person households. Net migration accounts for around one-third of household growth.

Immigration: Entry Clearance

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Home Office has taken almost five months to consider the compassionate and medical cases of Ms Helen Berhane and her sister for entry clearance (UK Visas Ref GV100/123-498/MA); and
	Whether Ms Helen Berhane and her sister have yet been admitted to Britain on compassionate and medical grounds (UK Visas ref GV100/123-498/MA); and
	When they will answer Lord Hylton's Question for Written Answer tabled on 8 June (HL4245).

Lord West of Spithead: It is the policy of the Border and Immigration Agency not to comment publicly about individual cases. I wrote to the noble Lord on 24 July privately about this case.

Immigration: Family Removal

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 May 2006 (WA 63-64), whether following the review of processes for effecting family removal, they will make the text of the guidance available to operational enforcement staff, including the guidance on treatment of breastfeeding mothers, and the web reference for the operational enforcement manual where such guidance is to be found.

Lord West of Spithead: A full copy of the family removals review from October 2006 entitled Review of UKIS Family Removals Process, an executive summary, list of recommendations and a progress-to-date report are published on the Border and Immigration Agency website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/childsafety. The review is also available to staff on the Border and Immigration Agency internal website.
	Chapter 58 of the Operational Enforcement Manual (OEM) contains instructions to be followed by operational enforcement staff when dealing with families liable to removal. This has recently been updated to include guidance on the treatment of breastfeeding mothers. The OEM is available to view at the following address: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/lawandpolicy/policyinstructions/oem.

Immigration: Yarl's Wood

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received reports of a solicitor who has been allowed into Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) on two occasions and has taken money from asylum-seekers; whether they will defer the removal of asylum-seekers affected by this to allow them to get representation and to act as witnesses in any criminal proceedings arising from the deception; and whether they will conduct an investigation into the procedures for allowing solicitors into Yarl's Wood and other IRCs.

Lord West of Spithead: This matter is currently being investigated by both the police and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and we would not wish to comment further so as to avoid prejudicing those investigations.

Navy: Frigates and Destroyers

Lord Sheikh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they chose to reduce the total of frigates and destroyers from the 32 referred to in the Strategic Defence Review to 25; and whether they propose any further reduction.

Lord Drayson: The reasons the department decided to make the reductions to the destroyer and frigate fleet are clearly set out in the White Paper Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (CM 6269), presented to Parliament in July 2004. This explained that a reduced conventional threat, revised planning assumptions and improved technology meant that we required fewer destroyers and frigates than before. It judged that our future requirements could be met by a fleet of 25 of these ships. No further reductions to the fleet are currently planned.

Office of Science and Innovation

Lord Krebs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the implications of the relocation of the Office of Science and Innovation for the scrutiny of scientific matters in Parliament.

Lord Triesman: I refer the noble Lord to the debate in the other place on 25 July 2007 concerning amendments to Standing Order 152 (Select Committees related to government departments). The proposals presented in this debate by the Leader of the House were approved in a vote and will be effective from the beginning of the next Session of Parliament [Official Report, Commons, 25/7/07; col. 939].

Planning: Eco-towns

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they will ensure that the planned eco-towns will be inhabited by people living an eco-lifestyle.

Baroness Andrews: On 23 July the Minister for Housing launched the Eco-towns Prospectus, which sets out the Government's vision for new towns of 5,000 to 20,000 homes which will be exemplar "green" developments. They will be designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability, including zero-carbon technologies and good public transport, as well as lead the way in design, facilities and services, jobs, health and community involvement.
	We expect the developments to be planned in a way which supports low-carbon living and this includes minimising carbon emissions from transport. There should also be the opportunity for the community to own and manage assets and to have a greater say in the running of their community. All these factors should help residents of eco-towns to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Telephone Numbers: Home Office

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25 June (WA 120), what revenue has been received by them between September 2004 and September 2006 from national non-geographic telephone numbers in use by (a) the Criminal Records Bureau; (b) the Passport Service; (c) the Immigration and Enquiry Bureau; and (d) Siemens Business Service query letters.

Lord West of Spithead: The latest information available shows that £385,261.58 was generated from the 0870 numbers used for the Passport Adviceline for the last financial year of 2006-07. This figure covers both the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and calls in response to Siemens Business Service query letters. This sum is deducted from the monthly invoice total from the Adviceline supplier and hence reduces the burden on the passport fee.
	The Immigration and Enquiry Bureau (IEB) generated £73,999.35 up until 31 March 2005. IEB ceased taking any revenue from the three non-geographic numbers from 1 April 2005. The Criminal Records Bureau receives no income from non-geographic numbers. All three business areas are looking into using 03 numbers, in line with COI recommendations.

World War II: Bevin Boys

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which non-military organisations have received some form of recognition for their efforts in the 1939-45 war, whether of medals, ribbons or lapel badges; and whether the Bevin Boys will now be recognised in this way.

Lord Drayson: Successive Governments have acknowledged publicly the major contribution made to the war effort by a wide variety of civilian organisations. We do not hold records of the specific awards made to non-military organisations.
	However, with respect to recent awards, the department is responsible for the introduction of a veterans badge for those members of the Merchant Navy who operated with HM Armed Forces in a conflict zone. With respect to the Bevin Boys, the noble Lord will be aware that the Prime Minister announced on 20 June 2007 a commemorative badge for the Bevin Boys, in recognition of their contribution to the war effort. More detail of that award was given later that day by my noble friend the Minister for Energy, Lord Truscott, by Written Statement (Official Report, col. WS 30).
	Answers received between Monday 6 August and Friday 10 August 2007

Children

Baroness Corston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total number of children eligible for child benefit in the United Kingdom in 1997, 2001 and 2006, or the latest year for which there is information available.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The table below shows the estimated number of children for whom child benefit was claimed in 1997-98, 2001-02 and 2006-07.
	
		
			  Number of children (millions) 
			 1997-98 13.1 
			 2001-02 13.1 
			 2006-07 13.0

Children

Baroness Corston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the amount per week of child benefit for the first child and for each other child in the family in 1997, 2001 and 2006, or the latest year for which there is information available; and (a) what would these amounts have been, and (b) what would the total cost in billions of pounds have been, if maintained in strict accordance with the growth of average national earnings for men and women.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Historic child benefit rates are available in the Tax Benefit Reference Manual in the Library of the House. Child benefit rates are outlined on page 75 of the 2007-08 manual; it is government practice to update these annually.
	The table below shows what the rates would have been if indexed by average national earnings from 1997-98.
	
		
			  Child benefit rates if increased by earnings: 1997-98, 2001-02 and 2006-07. 
			  First child Subsequent children 
			 1997-98 11.0 9.0 
			 2001-02 13.6 11.0 
			 2006-07 16.2 13.2 
		
	
	The total expenditure would have been around £8.5 billion in 2001-02 and around £10 billion in 2006-07 if these rates had been introduced.

Children: Films and Television

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have a strategy in respect of the production of films and television programmes for children; whether they will set up a fund for the production of such programmes; what steps they will take to increase the circulation of world films and television programmes to children in the United Kingdom; and, within the extended schools initiative, whether the films on the UK Film Council's film club list reflect films drawn from the wider world which may be of interest to children.

Lord Davies of Oldham: All public funding for film directed by the UK Film Council is available for children's films, along with all other genres. The UK Film Council is taking several steps to increase the circulation of world films, through the recently completed digital screen network and the distribution and exhibition fund.
	The list of films in the film club pilot phase included a wide range of films drawn from around the world, from "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday" to "Whale Rider" and foreign language and silent films. These were all well received. One of the recommendations from the evaluation of the pilot scheme is that the film catalogue could increase its impact on young audiences by including more world, independent and archive film, especially for primary schools. This will be duly noted.
	Section 264 of the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom regularly to review and report on the extent to which public service broadcasters fulfil the purposes of public service television, including the provision (when the services are taken together) of a "suitable quantity and range of high quality and original programmes for children and young people".
	Ofcom is currently conducting a review of children's television programming in the UK and this is expected to be published in the autumn. We look forward to seeing its findings.

Children: Television Advertising

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to reinforce the latest Ofcom restrictions on irresponsible television advertising of unsuitable food and drink products to children.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government have welcomed Ofcom's strengthened rules on broadcast food promotion to children as a proportionate and balanced contribution to the wider range of measures aimed at tackling childhood obesity and poor diet.
	As set out in the public health White Paper, the Government will monitor the impact of the new rules being implemented across all media. The Government will therefore be conducting an interim review in autumn 2007, with a more detailed review in autumn 2008, before considering whether further measures are necessary.

Equality: European Race Directive

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many times the European Commission has written to them asking for explanations of gaps in the implementation of the European race directive; and what response was made to such requests; and
	What deficiencies have been identified by the European Commission with the United Kingdom race equality legislation; and what action has been taken and is proposed to deal with them.

Baroness Andrews: Details of any correspondence between the Commission and member states on matters relating to the European race directive are confidential. I can, however, confirm that, following an exchange of letters with the Commission, the Commission has now sent a reasoned opinion letter to the UK (it has also sent such letters to 13 other member states). The Government are presently considering the opinion and will be responding by the required deadline of 27 August.
	More information on this subject is available on the European Commission's website at the following addresses:
	http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do? reference=MEMO/07/263&format=H TML&aged =0&language=EN&QuiLanguage
	http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressreleasesaction. do?reference=ip/07/928&format=h TML&abed=0 &language=EN&guiLanguage=en.

Extradition

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 23 July (WA 67), whether they will set out those considerations which led them to conclude that it was not in the public interest to reveal whether or not applications have been made to secure extradition from other countries of persons claiming to have committed murder in the United Kingdom.

Lord West of Spithead: I apologise if the reply given in the Official Report on 23 July did not fully address the noble Lord's concerns. The reply given by Lord Rooker on 3 July 2007 generally holds true. It is policy and practice neither to confirm nor deny the existence of any extradition request made to or by the UK. This is so that the subject of any potential extradition request is not alerted to its existence, thus affording them the opportunity to escape justice.
	In the case of Lugavoy, however, it was decided exceptionally to depart from that policy because, given the exceptionally serious nature of Mr Litvinenko's murder, it was right that my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary should give a full account to Parliament of what action the Government have taken and are taking. The substance of this account was in part drawn from the public statements issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In this context, I refer the noble Lord to my right honourable friend's oral Statement to the other place of 16 July (Official Report, Commons, cols. 21-22).

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Lord Clinton-Davis: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the call, made by Lord Owen at the hearing on 11 July of the Independent Public Inquiry into Contaminated National Health Service Blood and Blood Products headed by Lord Archer of Sandwell, for the Department of Health to identify the officials who shredded documents for the period 1989-92; and who from the department will be assisting the inquiry to establish the facts of what happened and why.

Lord Darzi of Denham: On 22 May 2007, A Review of Documentation Relating to the Safety of Blood Products 1970-1985 (Non A, Non-B Hepatitis), together with copies of relevant documentation, was issued to Lord Archer's inquiry. The documents released with the review included the report of an internal audit conducted in 2000 into the destruction of papers from the Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood covering May 1989 to February 1992. I very much regret the loss of these documents, but I am satisfied that the loss has been properly investigated and the results now published.
	Departmental officials have met with the inquiry team and offered to help by answering any questions they may have, where this is possible. However, I do not believe that more can be learned at this stage about the loss of documents that has not already been set out in the review and audit that have now been published.

Health: Erythropoietin

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal consultation document (ACD) on Erythropoietin will facilitate the ethical duty of clinicians to provide the best treatment for their patients; and whether, if a recommendation is made on the basis of cost-effectiveness, the national institute has an ethical duty to ensure this is properly done.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) bases its appraisal guidance on an assessment of both clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE applies the same published methodology to all its appraisal work and has published documentation on the social value judgments that it applies in the development of its guidance. A copy of NICE's social value judgments document is available on its website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=283494 and its Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal is published on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=201973.

Health: Erythropoietin

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will issue guidance setting out the range of discounts between which purchase of Erythropoietin would be cost-effective.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not issued final guidance to the National Health Service on the use of erythropoietins in the management of cancer treatment-induced anaemia. NICE's Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal states that "estimates of ... prices for particular resources should be used consistently across appraisals" and that the institute uses the "public list price" of a treatment when conducting its appraisals. The guide is published on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=201973.

Home Office: Staff

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many non-United Kingdom citizens are employed in (a) the Identity and Passport Service, and (b) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office; and, in each case, how many of these are citizens of other European Union countries.

Lord West of Spithead: As of 31 July 2007, the IPS employs 22 non-UK citizens, 14 of whom are citizens of other EU countries.
	The Border and Immigration Agency does not hold this information centrally and to provide this information would be at disproportionate cost.

Home Office: Staff

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have applied or will apply positive vetting procedures to all employees of the Identity and Passport Service and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office.

Lord West of Spithead: National security vetting is carried out to the appropriate level for all persons working for the Identity and Passport Service and the Border and Immigration Agency.

Housing: Flood Plains

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much housebuilding, sanctioned by planning authorities, is in progress on flood plains in England.

Baroness Andrews: Information on how much housebuilding, sanctioned by planning authorities, is in progress is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The most recent data (for 2005) show that 9 per cent of dwellings built were built in flood-risk areas. There were around 177,000 permanent dwellings started in 2005, which suggests that an estimated 16,000 dwellings were started on flood plains in 2005. It is worth noting that not all dwellings started end up as completed dwellings.
	Flood risk is a major factor in the location of new development. Flood-risk areas account for about 12 per cent of land in England, including parts of major cities, and around 10 per cent of the population already live in flood-risk areas. The Government's aim is to avoid inappropriate development in areas of high flood risk. The Government published planning policy statement 25 (PPS25) in December 2006 to strengthen and clarify earlier policy on this issue. PPS25 directs development away from high-risk areas through a sequential, risk-based approach.
	Flood risk must be taken into account at all stages of the planning process. Development that would not be safe in the higher-flood-risk areas should be directed to areas of lower risk wherever this is practicable. In particular, more vulnerable development, such as housing, should not be permitted in high-risk areas unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the development will be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and provides wider sustainability benefits that outweigh the flood risk. Where new development is necessary in higher-risk areas because no viable alternative is available, steps must be taken at site level to make it safe if it is to be permitted.

Housing: Flood Plains

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much housebuilding, sanctioned by planning authorities, has been carried out in (a) 2005; (b) 2006; and (c) 2007 to date on flood plains in England.

Baroness Andrews: The most recent data for dwellings built on flood-risk areas are for 2005. Data for 2006 and 2007 are not available centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. In 2005, an estimated 14,200 dwellings were built in flood-risk areas.
	The Government's aim is to avoid inappropriate development in areas of high flood risk. The definition of high-flood-risk areas and flood plain used by the Department for Communities and Local Government is the high-risk zone mapped by the Environment Agency as having a probability of flooding, excluding the presence of flood defences, of at least one in 100 each year for river flooding and at least one in 200 for coastal flooding. This is the basis for the definition of "high-risk areas" in planning policy statement 25 (PPS25).
	Flood risk is a major factor in the location of new development. Flood-risk areas account for about 12 per cent of land in England, including parts of major cities. PPS25 ensures that flood risk must be taken into account at all stages of the planning process. Development that would not be safe in the higher-flood-risk areas should be directed to areas of lower risk wherever this is practicable. In particular, more vulnerable development, such as housing, should not be permitted in high-risk areas unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the need for the development outweighs the risk, and it will be safe, without increasing flood risk.

Housing: Right to Buy

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in light of their policy to provide and retain the stock of social housing for rent, they intend to withdraw the right of social housing tenants to buy.

Baroness Andrews: The Government have no plans to withdraw the right to buy. We support the principle of the scheme. It has helped many thousands of families to realise their aspirations to own their homes and has helped to create stable mixed-tenure communities.

Immigration: Random Stops at Ports

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 12 July (WA 245) stating that "information on charges or convictions arising from stops at ports of entry [under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000] could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost", how they assess whether the powers given under that schedule are being used effectively and in accordance with their expectations at the time of the enactment of the Act.

Lord West of Spithead: Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of terrorist legislation, provides regular feedback to the Government on the use of the powers given under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000. In paragraph 141 of his most recent publication, the report on the operation in 2006 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Lord Carlile states: "I am satisfied that in 2006 the port powers and the checks and balances on those powers worked well and remained necessary. Recording systems are sound and accountable. Each port examination (as opposed to short stop) is recorded in written form and superior officers examine written records routinely. Special Branch officers generally function to a very high professional standard ... Given that there are so many ports and so extensive a coastline, the effort against terrorism via freight and small vessels is remarkably proficient".
	In paragraph 129, Lord Carlile states that he has personally "received no complaints about treatment of members of the public at ports in 2006". Complaints have been made to the police and the Home Office, generally relating to being stopped at all. In the Government's response to Lord Carlile's comments, we agreed that there is a need for more intelligence-led examinations at ports. It is likely that, with better selection processes in place, the number of stops at ports will decrease but the quality of intelligence retrieved from this smaller number of persons of interest will improve. We believe that it is still important that travellers expect to be stopped and challenged because, as Lord Carlile states in paragraph 126 of his report, it provides a "significant inhibition" and "deterrent to terrorists".
	The single border force will deliver a unified, uniformed, visible border force with greater powers providing a single primary line for both passport control and customs. Coming in, the travelling public will see a highly visible and uniformed border where "control" functions on people are clearly exercised, the strong sense of a single HMG presence and all passports and individuals checked.
	The public will be presented with a unified border control. This will be achieved through customs officers working together with immigration officers with the ability to detain individuals for immigration and customs offences.

Iraq: Export of Antiquities

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, since the promulgation of Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order (SI 2003/1519), they have issued licences permitting the export from the United Kingdom of antiquities believed to have been illegally exported after 6 August 1990 from Iraq.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Yes. One licence was issued in 2006 at the request of the Metropolitan Police Art and Antiques Unit to enable it to return to Iraq an item that had been smuggled out of Iraq after 1990.

Licensing: Live Music Forum

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current status of the Live Music Forum; and what plans there are for further meetings of the forum following the publication of its report Live Music Forum—Findings and Recommendations on 4 July.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Following the publication of its report on 4 July, the Live Music Forum has now disbanded. No further meetings are planned. We will respond to the forum's recommendations in the autumn.

National Lottery: Funding

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Big Lottery Fund awarded in (a) 2005; (b) 2006; and (c) 2007 to date, to projects in north-west England.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The figures in the table reflect how much the Big Lottery Fund awarded to projects in north-west England in the respective years.
	
		
			 Year Amount awarded 
			 2005 £51,200,752 
			 2006 £33,811,793 
			 2007 £49,926,883

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 13 June (WA 20-1), how many passports were included in the packages recorded as lost or stolen in each of the last 12 months while in transit between the Identity and Passport Service and the point of delivery.

Lord West of Spithead: As set out in the previous Answer, of the 110 packages reported lost or stolen while within the delivery process, 75 contained new passports. The remaining 35 contained documents sent in by the customer to support their application, which would have included previously issued passports and birth certificates. No central record is kept of the number of expired and cancelled passports returned in this way.

Police: East of England

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much, on a per head of population basis, each county in the East of England region received from central Government for policing in the last financial year.

Lord West of Spithead: The Government do not distribute grant to police authorities purely on the basis of population. The police funding formula uses a range of data relating to demographic and social characteristics to reflect the relative needs of each authority.

Sri Lanka: Home Office Guidance

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When Home Office country guidance on Sri Lanka was last updated; and whether it reflects the recent deterioration of the humanitarian situation there and the expulsion of ethnic Tamils from Colombo.

Lord West of Spithead: The country of origin report on Sri Lanka, published in May, contains extensive information on the humanitarian situation up to the end of April. Information on the expulsion of ethnic Tamils from Colombo, which occurred on 7 June 2007, was provided promptly in June to caseworkers. It will be reflected in the next full report, due for publication in August.

Sudan: Trade

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the overall level of trade between the United Kingdom and Sudan each year for the past five years.

Lord Davies of Oldham: HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for the collection and publication of UK trade in goods data, which are published in the overseas trade statistics available in the Library of the House and via www.uktradeinfo.com.

Taxation: Fuel Duty

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the extent to which marker dye is washed out of agricultural diesel obtained inside and outside the United Kingdom for use on United Kingdom roads with the object of evading fuel duty.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The main oil revenue loss from evasion in the United Kingdom is from the misuse of rebated fuels—principally red diesel and kerosene—in road vehicles. The misuse can take a variety of forms and one method often used by organised criminal gangs is laundering to remove the chemical markers and dyes that indicate the rebated fuel's duty-privileged status. HMRC publishes annual estimates of the total revenue loss from all forms of diesel fraud but does not have robust estimates as to the proportion of those losses deriving from particular forms of oils fraud.
	HMRC has a PSA target to reduce the illicit market for diesel in Great Britain to no more than 2 per cent by 31 March 2006. Latest published estimates show the illicit market share in Great Britain was 2 per cent in 2005, down from 6 per cent in 2001, confirming the successful impact of the strategy announced at Budget 2002 to reduce diesel fraud by making it difficult for criminals to acquire rebated fuels and by using intelligence to detect those who misuse it. The estimate for losses from diesel fraud in 2006 is expected to be published at or around the time of the Pre-Budget Report.
	Answers received between Monday 13 August and Friday 17 August 2007

Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the demand for allotment plots in inner London; and whether they have any plans to increase provision of green spaces in general and allotment plots in particular in inner London.

Baroness Andrews: We are not aware of any London-wide assessment of the demand for allotment plots. Provision of allotments is the responsibility of local authorities. However, the Mayor's London Plan sets out a clear policy to work with London boroughs and other strategic partners to protect and promote London's network of open spaces including allotments.

Aviation: Air Quality

Lord Tyler: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions the Secretary of State for Transport has had with the Civil Aviation Authority following the publication of the Aviation Contaminated Air Reference Manual (2007).

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Ministers and officials regularly meet the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss aviation.

Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in prioritising their wildlife health strategy, they will take note of the need for the development of a polymerase chain reaction test that can identify the presence of tuberculosis pathogens in badger setts.

Lord Rooker: In relation to the bovine tuberculosis programme, we have already noted the need to develop a rapid and reliable test for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection in infected cattle tissues, and samples from live badgers and the environment. Defra has been funding work using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to develop tests for M. bovis since 1999. Over the next three years £1.3 million will be invested in work using the PCR technique to develop a test that will allow us to differentiate between M. bovis and similar species of mycobacterium from environmental samples.
	While it may be possible to identify areas, such as badger setts, where the organism is present we would not know whether the DNA detected was from M. bovis mycobacteria that were viable and infectious or whether individual animals were infected.

Buses

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 July (Official Report, col. WA 88), whether, as local government is already engaged in the budgetary process for the year 2008—09, they will give urgent attention to the sufficiency of funds currently available and to their distribution.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government will be providing up to an extra £250 million per year for the national bus concession (£212 million after Barnett allocations) from April 2008. We are confident this will be sufficient, overall, to cover the total extra costs to local authorities for statutory concessionary fares.
	Further to my Answer of 25 July, a decision on the funding route is expected to be made shortly.
	In addition, we will pay local authorities in England a grant to cover any reasonable new burdens arising from the need to issue new travel passes for the national concession. In August we intend to pay a first tranche of this grant based on £1.20 per pass currently in circulation, uplifted by 20 per cent. The second tranche, representing the balance of the grant, would be paid once the pass regulations have been finalised. It is not possible to give a figure for the total value of the grant payment until we have completed our consultation about the specification of the pass and completed our discussions with suppliers.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Ian Grattidge

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Mr Ian Grattidge, former finance director at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, dismissed following the introduction of the single farm payment scheme, has been re-employed; and, if so, at what hourly rate.

Lord Rooker: Following the launch of the Renew Defra programme and the subsequent reconfiguration of the finance director role, Mr Ian Grattidge decided that he was not the person to take forward the new agenda and took early retirement from Defra on 31 May 2007. His departure had no connection with the introduction of the single payment scheme.
	Mr Grattidge was re-engaged to provide services under a contract for services, not as an employee, and completed four working days during the week commencing 11 June to handover to the interim finance director. For these days, Mr Grattidge was paid at a daily rate of £700 per day. This rate was negotiated based on Mr Grattidge's knowledge and experience and is in line with the market rate.

Driving: Maximum Age

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 July (WA 90), whether the power to impose a maximum age for the holding of motor vehicle driving licences resides with member states or with the European Union.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The power to impose a maximum age for the holding of a driving licence resides with the member state.

Energy: Air Conditioning

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the amount of energy used for air conditioning in the United Kingdom each year; what is their prediction for the energy use for air conditioning over the next 10 years; and what plans they have to minimise demand.

Lord Rooker: The Government's market transformation programme (MTP) estimates that in 2006, the total amount of energy used for air conditioning in buildings was 14.8 terawatt hours (TWh). It is estimated that approximately 0.055 TWh of this is due to domestic air conditioning.
	Based on current trends, the amount of energy used for air conditioning in buildings could increase to 19.3 TWh in 2017. However, the actual amount of energy used by installed air conditioning equipment will be influenced by the incidence and severity of hot summers.
	The energy White Paper included a range of measures aimed at improving the efficiency of energy using products and services. We plan to consult on our analysis, targets and indicative standards for a range of energy-using products, including air conditioning. This approach is also supported by minimum product performance requirements in compliance with Part L of the building regulations, enhanced capital allowance (ECA) for air conditioning products that meet minimum performance criteria, and the Energy Information (Household Air Conditioners) Regulations. The Government are also supporting regulatory minimum efficiency standards for air conditioning products through the eco-design of energy-using products (EuP) directive.
	The Carbon Trust's role in encouraging the good design and sustainability of buildings will also help to reduce the energy demand for all heating, ventilating and air conditioning services.

Energy: Renewables

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial incentives they have introduced to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies for heating domestic properties.

Lord Jones of Birmingham: As stated in the recently published energy White Paper, the Government are committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from heat across all sectors through a variety of methods including the encouragement of renewable energy technologies for heating.
	Current incentives to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies for heating domestic properties focus on the Government's £86 million capital grant fund: the low carbon buildings programme. This is in addition to previous grant programmes (Clear Skies, PV demonstration programme). In the current phase of the programme, £18.7 million is available to householders. Grants are available for all certified renewable energy technologies.
	The Government believe that it is essential to consider the heat sector holistically and are carrying out further work over the coming months into policy options and support measures that could further reduce the carbon impact of heat and its use. This work focuses on all sectors from domestic to large-scale industrial and considers options to encourage further the uptake of renewable technologies.

Energy: Renewables

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of energy used for space heating in domestic properties is taken from local renewable energy sources.

Lord Jones of Birmingham: It is estimated that in 2005, the latest year for which data are available, the proportion of energy used for space heating in domestic properties taken from local renewable energy sources was less than 1 per cent.
	As stated in the recent energy White Paper, the Government are committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from heat across all sectors through a variety of methods, including the encouragement of renewable energy technologies for heating.
	Work is under way to examine policy options and possible support measures to encourage further the uptake of renewable technologies for heating in all sectors, including domestic.

Flooding

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Statement by Lord Rooker on 23 July on flooding (Official Report, cols. 564—74), whether they will introduce legislation to give the Environment Agency greater flood prevention powers.

Lord Rooker: The Government's strategy, Making Space for Water, encourages the adoption of a more holistic approach to flood risk. This means that the Environment Agency is to be given responsibility for taking a strategic overview of flooding from all sources, including rivers, sea, surface water and ground water in inland and coastal areas.
	The Government have announced their findings on the form this will take for coastal management and are currently consulting on inland areas.

Immigration: Dublin System

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the provisions of the Dublin system for dealing with asylum applications are consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights; and whether their opinion on this matter has been upheld by the courts of the United Kingdom.

Lord West of Spithead: The Dublin regulation establishes the criteria and mechanisms for determining the member state responsible for considering an asylum claim. The central theme of the regulation is that one state only should be responsible for deciding an asylum claim so as to prevent secondary movements and asylum shopping. The regulation does, however, contain a sovereignty clause enabling the UK (or the member state concerned) to take responsibility for a case even when it is not the member state properly responsible. We might decide to do this, for example, where the removal of the claimant would breach his or her rights under the ECHR.
	Mr Justice McCombe has made a declaration of incompatibility (DOI) in respect of paragraph three of Schedule 3 to the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004, which is the statutory provision under which the asylum claims of those being removed with reference to the Dublin regulation are certified. The DOI does not concern the operation of the system provided by the Dublin regulation itself. The Secretary of State for the Home Department intends to seek leave to appeal this judgment to the Court of Appeal.

Immigration: Handcuffs

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether asylum applicants being transferred from Belfast to Strathaven in Scotland, or elsewhere, are routinely handcuffed while on board the ferry; whether a woman, five months pregnant, was handcuffed during such a journey; and whether they will review these procedures.

Lord West of Spithead: In accordance with a protocol agreed with the ferry operator, for reasons of safety and security, all detainees are routinely placed in hand restraints while embarking and disembarking from the ferry between Northern Ireland and Scotland. Once on board, the individual is taken to a lounge area, where the hand restraints are removed.
	We cannot discuss individual cases but there is no exemption to the protocol for pregnant women.

Immigration: Torture and Rape

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action was taken between January and July 2007, following the submission of 703 reports from detention centres to the Border and Immigration Agency concerning allegations of previous torture or rape; and, in particular, how many reports led to the release of detainees.

Lord West of Spithead: Officials in the Border and Immigration Agency who are in receipt of such information and who are responsible for managing a person's detention and/or asylum decision consider the content of the report and whether it has implications for the relevant person's detention and application.
	The outcomes of these reports are not held centrally and, as such, the information required could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration: Yarl's Wood

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in view of the assurances given on 23 October 2006 by the Minister for Immigration, Mr Liam Byrne, that breastfeeding children should not be separated from their mothers save in exceptional circumstances, Ms M (Home Office reference number M1162356) has been held in custody since 9 May, first for four days in a police station and then in Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre.

Lord West of Spithead: I refer the noble Lord to my letter of 9 August.

Immigration: Yarl's Wood

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why Ms Maseko, an unsuccessful asylum-applicant and mother of two small children, was forcibly evicted from council accommodation and then separated from her one-year old daughter, whom she was breast feeding; why Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre did not supply a breast pump; and whether they propose to prevent such treatment in future.

Lord West of Spithead: I refer the noble Lord to my letter of 9 August.

Mariners: Alcohol and Drugs Limits

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answer by Baroness Crawley on 19 July (Official Report, col. col 368) about alcohol and drugs limits for mariners, what are the details of the proposed offence of being impaired in the ability to navigate because of drink or drugs; to whom it will apply; and when they plan to bring it into force.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Section 80 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 provides for two separate offences by non-professionals: Section 80(2) contains the offence of being impaired because of drink or drugs in the ability to carry out a function in connection with the navigation of a ship which is under way, and Section 80(3) contains the offence of exceeding prescribed alcohol limits. These provisions have not yet been brought into force. The department intends to bring both of the offences into force next year.
	The offence under Section 80(2) of the Act will apply to any person who is not a professional mariner but who is on board a ship which is under way and who is exercising or purporting or attempting to exercise a function in connection with the navigation of the ship. Such a person will commit the offence if his or her ability to exercise the function in question is impaired because of drink or drugs. There is no power to make exemptions from this offence.

Mental Health: Council of Europe Recommendation

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their reasons for tabling qualification (Note 1) made to the Committee Ministers' Recommendation 2004/10 concerning the protection of human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorders, and whether they plan to remove it.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Recommendation Rec(2004)10 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the protection of the human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorder was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 22 September 2004. As a recommendation to governments of member states, there is no procedure for it to be signed by those member states. Because the Government were in the process of revising important aspects of legislation in England and Wales on mental health and mental capacity, it was at the time not in a position to identify definitively whether there were specific points in the recommendation on which it might wish to reserve its right not to comply. Accordingly, when adopting the recommendation, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom indicated that, in accordance with Article 10.2c of the Rules of Procedure for the meetings of the Ministers' Deputies, he reserved the right of his Government to comply or not with the recommendation as a whole. Now that the Mental Health Act 2007 has received Royal Assent, there is an opportunity to review that reservation.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many replacement United Kingdom passports were issued in each of the past 12 months in respect of passports which were reported (a) lost, or (b) stolen; and, in respect of each figure, how many of the applicants had previously reported a passport lost or stolen.

Lord West of Spithead: The number of UK replacement passports issued by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in each of the past 12 months in respect of passports which were reported lost or stolen is shown in the attached table.
	IPS does not routinely collate information relating to how many of these applicants for replacement passports had previously reported a passport lost and stolen.
	
		
			 Month Lost Stolen 
			 2006   
			 August 22,474 2,904 
			 September 16,780 2,615 
			 October 14,059 2,402 
			 November 11,674 1,715 
			 December 9,553 1,582 
			 2007   
			 January 14,763 2,140 
			 February 15,439 2,015 
			 March 21,491 2,591 
			 April 20,855 2,449 
			 May 24,803 2,618 
			 June 26,114 2,821 
			 July 23,377 2,509

Regulators

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they have taken following the recommendations of the Better Regulation Task Force "that government should allow all independent regulators sufficient flexibility to ensure that they are able to appoint staff they require for the regulator to operate efficiently".

Lord Jones of Birmingham: The Government accepted this recommendation, subject to any limitations imposed by a regulator's founding legislation. It is for individual regulators to operate in the way which is most appropriate for them to achieve their objectives, which includes deciding the level of reward required to recruit, retain and motivate the right quality of staff to allow them to operate efficiently.

Taxation: Capital Gains Tax

Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the most recent year for which figures are available, what would be the gain to the Exchequer of reforming capital gains tax taper relief for business assets so that the proportion of gains chargeable was (a) 100 per cent after two years or less; (b) 90 per cent after three years; (c) 80 per cent after four years; (d) 70 per cent after five years; (e) 60 per cent after six years; and (f) 50 per cent after seven years or more; and
	In the most recent year for which figures are available, what would be the gain to the Exchequer of reforming capital gains tax taper relief for non-business assets so that the proportion of gains chargeable was (a) 100 per cent after two years or less; (b) 90 per cent after three years; (c) 80 per cent after four years; (d) 70 per cent after five years; (e) 60 per cent after six years; and (f) 50 per cent after seven years or more; and
	In the most recent year for which figures are available, what proportion of the cost of capital gains tax taper relief was due to (a) business assets, and (b) non-business assets.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The estimated effect on the Exchequer of each of the two variations of capital gains taxation regime is given in the following table. The estimates are given on the assumption that the new regime had been introduced in April 2007 and take account of the estimated impact of behavioural responses to changes in taxation regime. As the initial behavioural response is assumed to be greater than that in subsequent years, figures are provided for 2008-09 as well as 2007-08.
	
		
			 Estimated effect on the Exchequer 
			  £ million accruals yield/cost(-)  
			 Description of taper relief regime 2007-08 2008-09 
			 Business assets taper 100 per cent after 2 years, 90 per cent after 3 years, 80 per cent after 4 years, 70 per cent after 5 years, 60 per cent after 6 years, 50 per cent after 7 years or more. 1,200 1,500 
			 Non-business assets taper 100 per cent after 2 years, 90 per cent after 3 years, 80 per cent after 4 years, 70 per cent after 5 years, 60 per cent after 6 years, 50 per cent after 7 years or more. -300 -400 
		
	
	The estimates given on 26 July in reply to four similar questions (HL4872, HL4873, HL4874, HL4875) were prepared on a different basis (as if the policy were introduced in April 2005 and without estimation of behavioural changes). Estimates prepared on the same basis as those given in the table above are now given below.
	
		
			 Estimated effect on the Exchequer 
			  £ million accruals yield/cost(-)  
			 Description of taper relief regime 2007-08 2008-09 
			 Business assets taper 75 per cent after 1 year, 50 per cent after 2 years 1,100 1,300 
			 Business assets taper 10 years as in 1999-00 600 500 
			 Business assets taper 4 years as in 2000-01 100 200 
			 Business assets taper 90 per cent after 1 year, 80 per cent after 2 years, 70 per cent after 3 years, 60 per cent after 4 years,. 50 per cent after 5 years or more 1,400  
		
	
	The split of the existing capital gains tax taper relief by type of asset, consistent with the total figures published in Table A3.1 of Financial Statement and Budget Report 2007, is as follows.
	
		
			 Year Non-business assets Business assets 
			 2005-06 19 per cent 81 per cent 
			 2006-07 21 per cent 79 per cent

Transport: Drivers' Hours

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are making arrangements for the United Kingdom registration and enforcement agencies responsible for holding data relating to drivers, vehicles and companies engaged in road haulage to exchange such data with European Union partners for enforcement purposes.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: There are three proposals for action of this nature.
	Political agreement was reached at the June meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on the adoption of a draft EU Council decision (the Prüm council decision) to strengthen law enforcement co-operation through the exchange of DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration information for the prevention and investigation of serious crime. The implementing agreements to the Council decision—taking account of UK views—are being negotiated.
	Separately, the Department for Transport has been discussing potential proposals for the cross-border enforcement of traffic offences with the European Commission. The Government expect that the Commission will come forward with a proposal for a directive that will target improving road safety and will cover issues on drink driving, speeding and seat belt offences.
	The Commission's draft regulation on access to the occupation of road transport operator also proposes an electronic register of international HGV and PSV operators in each member state, to be interconnected by 2010, and more effective data sharing on operators' compliance record within the Community.

Transport: Drivers' Hours

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they will ensure that agency drivers working for several employers within the European Union do not flout the drivers' hours regulations.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Under the EU drivers' hours and tachograph rules, drivers are required to carry with them records for the current week and the previous 15 calendar days. This will be increased to the current day and the previous 28 days from 1 January 2008. These records are used to demonstrate compliance or otherwise with the full scope of the EU drivers' hours rules.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any limits on the amount of road fuel which may be brought into the United Kingdom in the fuel tanks of heavy goods vehicles; and whether it is safe for such vehicles to contain large amounts of fuel when they are carried on cross-channel ferries or trains through the Channel Tunnel.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The size of the fuel tanks is not specified in the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations (SI 1986/1078). However, transport units (a motor vehicle including any trailers) may carry fuel, for operation of the engine or other fixed equipment in fixed tanks or portable containers, up to a maximum of 1,500 litres before the provisions of the European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR) apply. Those vehicles which do not exceed the 1,500 litre limit may be carried on cross-channel ferries and through the Channel Tunnel.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that, when checks are carried out on heavy goods vehicles and drivers using roads giving access to ports, such checks are co-ordinated with checks on access to alternative ports to prevent diversion by drivers seeking to escape detection.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has doubled the number of checks on heavy goods vehicles on international journeys since 2005-06. Where necessary, VOSA carries out co-ordinated checks when resources and operational facilities allow.
	Drivers and operators are unaware of when and where checks will be held. VOSA seeks to carry out checks roughly in proportion to vehicles passing through each port so that errant drivers cannot reduce their chances of detection by diverting.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress is being made in ensuring that heavy goods vehicles registered outside the United Kingdom contribute to the costs of the roads, thus creating a fair competitive environment for those using domestically registered means of transport.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Department for Transport is currently undertaking a feasibility study to explore ways of delivering better targeted enforcement on foreign heavy goods vehicles. This is looking at a range of potential schemes, including a time-based charge for the use of UK roads which, if pursued, could result in foreign hauliers making a daily, monthly or annual payment. No decisions have been taken on this.

Water Quality: Beaches

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will propose changes to European Union bathing water directives 76/160/EEC and 2006/7/EC to increase the protection to the public from sewage pollution on United Kingdom beaches.

Lord Rooker: The revised bathing water directive 2006/7/EC requires the European Commission to review the directive (and present legislative proposals, if necessary) by 2020.
	The review will consider, in particular, whether it would be appropriate to modify the new more stringent microbiological standards in the revised directive (further to protect public health), which are based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
	The review process will begin in 2008 when the Commission is expected to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on:
	the results of a European epidemiological study conducted by the Commission in collaboration with member states; any other scientific, analytical and epidemiological developments relevant to the parameters for bathing water quality; and WHO recommendations.
	The UK Government will have until the end of 2014 to submit written observations on the Commission's report, including identifying any further research which may be needed to assist the Commission in its review of the revised directive.
	Answers received between Monday 20 August and Friday 24 August 2007

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of firms of solicitors dealing with claims under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, the British Coal vibration white finger litigation and the British Coal industrial deafness litigation, they will propose to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Legal Complaints Service that, where those firms have undergone regulatory forensic investigation or been subject to formal determination by either the adjudicator, adjudication panel or Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, each such firm should thereupon be required to give notice to its British Coal clients, setting out their right to pursue complaints, to seek redress and to require reimbursement of monies deducted from their compensation and paid over to third parties.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government believe that targeting former miners and their families directly will be the most effective way to encourage affected claimants to seek redress, and where appropriate, reimbursement. The Government are working with the Legal Complaints Service (LCS), the Legal Services Ombudsman and coalfield MPs to ensure that all claimants understand their rights to redress through the LCS where deductions have wrongfully been made from their compensation awards.
	As part of this process, the LCS has recently completed a number of pilot information sessions for former miners in the Rother Valley constituency. This has already resulted in a further 234 complaints being lodged with the LCS. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has also raised awareness of the means of redress through the Compensation for Miners newsletter, 45,000 copies of which are distributed to GP surgeries, Citizens Advice bureaux and coalfield MPs and are available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal-health/publications /miners-news/page17069.html.
	The Government have also brought forward amendments to the Legal Services Bill to help approved regulators deal more effectively with cases of widespread wrongdoing in the future and to ensure that firms are required to take proactive action to put matters right in future cases affecting a large number of clients.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By reference to the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, the British Coal vibration white finger litigation and the British Coal industrial deafness litigation, whether they will invite the Legal Complaints Service and the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority to give consideration to promulgating a new policy and compliance statement, requiring solicitors to repay to the retired miners and their widows all sums deducted from their compensation, whether paid over to third parties or otherwise.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Under existing legislation, neither the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) nor the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has the power to require solicitors as a matter of policy to repay all sums deducted from compensation. The Legal Complaints Service and Solicitors Regulation Authority have written to the senior partners of the 515 firms which dealt with miners' compensation cases urging them to return to all clients any additional charges that they may have made in these cases. To reinforce this message and to demonstrate that this is an issue that the Government take very seriously Ministers from the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform have also issued a joint letter to all firms involved in the coal health schemes.
	In recognition of the difficulties faced by miners and their families, the Law Society has recently announced that it will make ex gratia advances on awards that have been made in the complainants' favour in miners' compensation cases in order to relieve these vulnerable claimants of the burden of seeking enforcement of the awards through the courts.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many complaints were dealt with by the Legal Complaints Service in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and the British Coal vibration white finger litigation, having regard to the coal health compensation schemes report, published by the National Audit Office on 18 July, recording the number of respiratory disease claims and vibration white finger claims which had been registered under those schemes.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Legal Complaints Service (LCS) has received 2,009 complaints relating to claims under the two coal health schemes. Of these, the latest figures show that 1,715 cases have been closed and in excess of £600,000 has been recovered for former miners or their relatives. In addition, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has authorised investigations into 60 firms of solicitors, which have, to date, resulted in 17 firms being referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The SRA has won the first three cases to be heard by the tribunal.
	The combined efforts of the LCS and SRA have led to well over £3 million being repaid to miners. This figure is expected to rise as investigations continue.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the workload handled by the Legal Services Ombudsman for England and Wales and the Office of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner arising from the conduct of solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, the British Coal vibration white finger litigation and the British Coal industrial deafness litigation, taking into account the regulatory process on the part of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Legal Complaints Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The most recent figures show that the Legal Services Ombudsman has received 40 individual miners' cases for her consideration. Cases relating to miners' complaints are still being received in the ombudsman's office. In addition to this case work activity, the ombudsman issued a special report on the miners' cases in April 2006 and a leaflet telling miners and their families how to make a complaint in June 2007.
	The ombudsman has also engaged with the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as well as the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and concerned Members of Parliament on a variety of issues pertaining more widely to the handling of the miners' complaints.
	In April 2006, the Office of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner undertook a detailed audit of how coal health complaints were being managed by the Law Society's LCS and SRA. This involved reviewing nearly 300 cases. The report was published in July 2006. The commissioner's office continues to require information from LCS and SRA, through meetings and correspondence, to show whether they are making progress against the recommendations contained in the audit report.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: EU Penalties

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial or other penalties have been imposed in each of the past five financial years by the European Union on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and whether there are any penalties pending for this year.

Lord Rooker: Defra (RPA) financial corrections, based on EU Commission ad hoc and irregularity decisions over the past five years have been as follows:
	2006-07 £3.049m
	2005-06 £22.608m
	2004-05 £12.170m
	2003-04 £0.212m
	2002-03 £21.106m
	Additionally, in 2007-08, one financial correction of £20.012 million has been applied so far. It is not possible at this stage to say what further decisions may be published this year.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: EU Penalties

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What impact the penalties imposed by the European Union on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had on the budgets of Defra-sponsored organisations over each of the past five financial years, including 2007—08.

Lord Rooker: Penalties imposed by the European Union over the past five years have had no impact on the budgets of Defra-sponsored organisations. Prior to 2006-07, disallowance was classified as annually managed expenditure and so was not part of the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) out of which other bodies are funded. For 2006-07 and 2007-08, the department has had a ring-fenced DEL budget for disallowance, supplemented by the claim on the reserve made in 2006-07.

Elections: Ballot Papers

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Amendment) Order 2007, whether they have any plans to extend the powers of the Secretary of State to the examination of ballot papers in England and Wales after future elections.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Amendment) Order 2007 provides a mechanism by which the Electoral Commission may have access to ballot papers cast at Scottish parliamentary elections. The order was made following a request by the Electoral Commission's Scottish elections review, set up to examine the administration of this year's Scottish parliamentary and local government elections.
	The Electoral Commission has made no equivalent request in relation to any other election for which the UK Government have responsibility, and the Government have no current plans to extend this power to elections in England and Wales.

Employment Tribunals

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March 2001 (WA 50), whether they will publish a similar table showing the annual number of applications made to employment tribunals in each of the years 2002 to 2006; the number of applications disposed of; and the percentage of those disposed of which were successful at a hearing, where that information is available.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following table shows the annual number of claims made to the employment tribunals in each of the years from 2002 to 2006; the number of claims disposed of; and the percentage of those disposed of which were successful at a hearing.
	
		
			 Year Cases registered Cases disposed of Cases successful Cases successful (%) 
			 2005-06 115,039 86,083 29, 0781 181 
			 2004-05 86,181 97,966 26,4721 181 
			 2003-04 115,042 93,973 13,000 14 
			 2002-03 98,617 95,554 12,389 13 
			 2001-02 112,227 97,386 12,023 12 
			 Source: Employment Tribunals Service annual reports from 2001-02 to 2005-061 From 2004-05 the number and percentage of jurisdictions, as opposed to cases, successful at a hearing were given

Guinea: Child Labour

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the recommendations made in the recent Human Rights Watch report on girl domestic workers in Guinea, Bottom of the Ladder, especially those recommendations to donor countries.

Baroness Vadera: The Government believe the report's recommendations could address the child labour issues highlighted in the report. DfID does not have a bilateral programme with Guinea but will recommend this report to the EU and other multilateral agencies through which it channels its assistance.

Housing: National Distribution Networks

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	The following Answer was printed with the wrong Question on Wednesday 25 July. The correct Question, with the Answer, is as set out below.
	Whether they will include homes that are not connected to national distribution networks for water and electricity in their national planning policy statements; and what measures they are considering to expedite planning applications for such homes in rural areas.

Baroness Andrews: Planning policy statement (PPS) 3, Housing, requires local planning authorities to identify specific sites that will deliver their housing numbers. These sites should reflect clear and informed strategies for the location of housing development in both urban and rural areas.
	In assessing what sites are suitable for inclusion in their plans, local planning authorities need to consider the current and future level and capacity of infrastructure, including the existing and future capacity of utility operations such as water and electricity, to support the proposed distribution of development. In addition, local planning authorities should encourage applicants to bring forward sustainable and environmentally friendly new housing development, and consider locations for housing where it can readily and viably draw its energy supply from decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable and low-carbon forms of energy supply, or where there is clear potential for this to be realised.
	The draft PPS on climate change, on which we consulted earlier this year, provides more detailed guidance on how planning authorities are expected to help to secure development with much lower carbon emissions.

International Development

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much United Kingdom bilateral development assistance per capita, omitting the cost of defence and security where possible, was spent in (a) India; (b) Pakistan; and (c) Afghanistan for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Baroness Vadera: Table 1 contains estimates of UK bilateral official development assistance (ODA) to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in total and per capita for 2005/06.
	
		
			 Table 1: UK bilateral ODA 2005/06 
			  Total ODA1 (£millions) 2005 Population2 (millions) ODA per capita (GBP) 
			 Afghanistan 126.9 25.1 5.06 
			 India 267.6 1,134.4 0.24 
			 Pakistan 97.7 158.1 0.62 
			 1 Official development assistance does not contain spending on defence but may contain an element of spending on security, where relevant (e.g. policing).2 Source of population estimates is the UN Population Division's World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision. Population estimates are as of 1 July 2005.

International Development: Civil Society

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What definition they now apply to "civil society" in international development; and how they sub-divide categories of assistance to civil society within the bilateral development assistance budget.

Baroness Vadera: DfID defines civil society as the groups and organisations which occupy a position between the household, the state and the private sector. This broad definition encompasses, among others, trade unions, business associations, co-operatives, employers' associations, faith groups, trade associations, recreational groups and think tanks.
	Categories of assistance to civil society include funds provided through country programmes and funds managed centrally at DfID headquarters. The major headquarters-managed funds are the partnership programme agreements, Civil Society Challenge Fund, Governance and Transparency Fund, Conflict and Humanitarian Fund and Development Awareness Fund.

International Development: India

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What bilateral or multilateral assistance they have given to India for (a) social exclusion projects, and (b) Dalit organisations in the latest two financial years for which figures are available.

Baroness Vadera: DfID promotes social inclusion as a core objective in all our main programmes rather than funding free-standing projects. Estimates of the financial resources directed at social exclusion and at Dalits are therefore very difficult to disaggregate.
	In our £210 million (2003-07) support for India's national elementary education programme, one of the main aims has been to reduce social group disparities in education outcomes. Recent data show that Dalit children now make up 21 per cent of enrolments of primary school children, compared with 19 per cent three years previously.
	DfID's £252 million commitment (2006-11) to the second phase of the national reproductive and child health programme also aims to target the socially excluded. Strategies include intensive efforts to reach more remote tribal groups and a performance bonus for states that make the most progress in expanding services among socially excluded groups.
	DfID has also committed £75 million to UNICEF (2006-11) in India to reduce child mortality and tackle social exclusion in health and education services.

Iraq: Refugees

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the government of Syria and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about the health, educational and other needs of the estimated 57,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria; and what consequential action they are taking.

Baroness Vadera: DfID has not had any discussions with the Government of Syria. We continue to work closely with UNHCR to ensure that agencies are adequately resourced and equipped to respond to needs such as food, water, shelter and medical assistance. UNHCR and UNICEF are discussing with the Government of Syria how best to facilitate access to health services and education for displaced Iraqis.
	In January, the UNHCR launched a $60 million appeal to address the influx of refugees into Iraq's neighbouring countries and the plight of displaced people inside Iraq. To date, we have contributed £1.5 million to the UN High Commission for Refugees' (UNHCR) appeal to help refugees in neighbouring countries. This was part of a £10 million package that we have provided so far this year to help vulnerable people inside Iraq and those displaced to other countries in the region. This contribution will help facilitate the registration of externally displaced Iraqis and provision of emergency assistance across the region. The appeal has now been doubled ($123 million) in view of continual needs.

Israel and Palestine: Gaza

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to enable the recommencement of works in Gaza by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East.

Baroness Vadera: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) food distributions and basic medical care services remain fully operational, except for a two-day suspension in June due to the deaths of two members of staff. However, access restrictions have forced the suspension of some construction projects.
	The UK has raised the issue of humanitarian access, including that for UNRWA, with the Israeli Government on two occasions since the takeover of Gaza by Hamas. Some crossings are partially open, and Israel has assured the UK that it considers getting humanitarian aid into Gaza a priority.
	DfID disbursed its full annual allocation of £15.6 million for UNRWA in April.

Licensing: BMRB Live Music Survey

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultations were held with the Live Music Forum concerning the 2007 British Market Research Bureau's live music survey.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The proposed 2007 British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) survey is the second part of a two-stage research study into the provision of live music in England and Wales. The first stage of the study was carried out in 2004 after full consultation with the Live Music Forum. The methodology for the 2007 survey will repeat the approach adopted for the 2004 survey. The forum's views were nevertheless sought about ways in which the 2007 survey might be improved. Furthermore, a small group of experts from the live music sector, all of whom had been members of the forum, was established to provide the Department for Culture, Media and Sport with independent advice on the development of the questionnaire for the BMRB survey.

Licensing: BMRB Live Music Survey

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the research methodology and interview questionnaire of the 2007 British Market Research Bureau's live music survey.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Yes. These will be published in the technical report, which will accompany the report on the main findings, in November 2007.

Licensing: BMRB Live Music Survey

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Live Music Forum will be asked to consider the 2007 British Market Research Bureau's live music survey; and, if not, what plans they have for an independent evaluation of its results.

Lord Davies of Oldham: No. The Live Music Forum met for the last time on 16 April 2007 and, having fulfilled its terms of reference, was disbanded following the publication of its report on 4 July 2007. The British Market Research Bureau, as a member of the Market Research Society, will uphold to provide an independent evaluation of the results. We will consult members of the expert group we have drawn from the live music sector to help us quality-assure the report prior to publication, and our publication of the results, methods and data will in any event allow for independent scrutiny and evaluation of the results.

North Korea: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to encourage the European Commission to fund health and water programmes in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Baroness Vadera: EuropeAid will take over responsibility this year for the EU's assistance programme to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Projects agreed under EuropeAid guidelines are likely to concentrate on food security. Water and sanitation issues may be incorporated into wider projects, and we will encourage them to consider this as they develop their programme locally. A first list of projects is expected to be circulated in October.

North Korea: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the current humanitarian situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and whether they have assessed the likelihood of a repeat of the famine of the 1990s.

Baroness Vadera: We have not made an independent assessment of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Along with other member states, we agreed in spring 2006 that the EU's programme of humanitarian assistance should end by May 2008 in the light of the relative stability of the humanitarian situation.

North Korea: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) about ECHO ending its humanitarian support in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 2008.

Baroness Vadera: DfID has not had any discussions with ECHO or formally with the EuropeAid Co-operation Office on this issue. The ending of the ECHO programme by May 2008 was agreed by member states in spring 2006 in the light of the relative stability of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. EuropeAid will take over operations from ECHO. EuropeAid's terms of reference will differ from those under which ECHO operates, although they will take over responsibility for NGOs operating in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The EuropeAid programme will concentrate more on food security.

Pensions: Annuity Contracts

Lord Varley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 403 pension schemes which provided information on their assets to the Andrew Young financial assistance scheme review team have already made legally binding and irrevocable individual annuity contracts for their members with insurance companies; and which are the pension schemes concerned.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: From the data provided to the FAS assets review, we estimate that around 50 per cent of these schemes have taken some steps towards annuitisation. However, it is unclear what proportion of these has entered into individual annuity contracts that are legally binding and irrevocable. Due to commercial sensitivities and commitments made to data providers it is not possible to state which are the pension schemes concerned.

Prisons: Suicide

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of those who committed suicide while in custody in the past 12 months were serving indeterminate imprisonment for public protection (IIP) sentences.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The total number of self-inflicted deaths among prisoners serving IIP sentences in the past 12 months (up to 30 July 2007) is five.

Sport: Centres of Excellence

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many centres of excellence for sport are situated in England.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There is no defined network of centres of excellence at the moment. However, across England there are a number of world-class sports facilities providing our very best athletes with the opportunity to train and prepare for major international competitions and to receive world-class support services. Some are sport-specific, such as the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, while others, such as those at Loughborough, Bath, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Lilleshall, are focused on serving several sports and are often based around the nine regions of the English Institute of Sport.
	This varied approach is being addressed directly by UK Sport, the Government's lead agency for high-performance sport. It is seeking to bring more coherence and structure to how high-performance services are delivered in England and across the UK through its development of dedicated "elite training centres" between now and 2012.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What additional humanitarian assistance they will provide in Gereida refugee camp following the withdrawal of Oxfam from that camp; what assessment they have made of the increased demand for humanitarian relief during the rainy season; and what is their current assessment of the number of civilians affected by the crisis in Darfur who are presently unable to access humanitarian aid due to the insecurity in the region.

Baroness Vadera: Following the withdrawal of Oxfam and other agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as the only agency left, is providing water, sanitation, food, health care, shelter and other household items to the camp and host population of Gereida. The ICRC has increased its appeal from £13 million to £44 million. In response, DfID increased its support to ICRC proportionately from £1 million to £4 million for 2007.
	Aid agencies made extensive preparations in Darfur for the onset of the rainy season. To date, these preparations have proved sufficient to cope with the increases in malnutrition in some areas and the limited flood damage.
	The most comprehensive assessments on humanitarian access come from the UN, which estimates that they have access to 68 per cent of the 4.2 million people in need, meaning that 1.3 million people cannot be reached. The UK is lobbying hard for the early deployment of the UN-African Union hybrid force to help protect humanitarian workers and improve access to those in need.

Tuvalu: Sea Level

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will assist Tuvalu so as to protect the islands from rising sea levels.

Baroness Vadera: DfID has not had a bilateral aid programme in the Pacific since 2001 but provides assistance through our share of European Commission funding. The Commission is providing €4 million to Tuvalu through the ninth European Development Fund (EDF), of which the UK's contribution is 12.69 per cent. Australia, New Zealand and Japan are also major donors to the region. We are also encouraging the Asian Development Bank to support adaptation work in small island states, including Tuvalu.

Young Offenders: Chemical Incapacitant

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions the chemical incapacitant known as PAVA has been used in incidents involving (a) juveniles, and (b) young offenders; how many of these incidents involved rooftop protests; whether any incidents have been recorded of harm to those who are asthmatic following its use; and, in each incident, what number of medical staff were available at the scene.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: PAVA has never been used in an incident involving young offenders (aged 18 to 21) and has been used only once involving juveniles (aged 15 to 18). The occasion when PAVA was discharged at a juvenile prison was during an incident at height. None of the prisoners involved in the incident was asthmatic. A member of healthcare was at the scene when PAVA was discharged, and two other healthcare staff were on standby.
	Answers received between Tuesday 28 August and Friday 31 August 2007

Agriculture: Pesticides

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that the derogation for helicopter applications of asulam will be continued in the face of a possible European Union ban on aerial spraying of pesticides.

Lord Rooker: The Government believe that aerial spraying of pesticides may be appropriate in specific limited circumstances. The European Commission's proposal for a framework directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, published in July last year, provides for derogations to cover these. Asulam, which is used in the UK for bracken control, is currently undergoing peer review between member states and the European Food Safety Agency as part of the process of consideration for approval under the EU marketing regime for pesticides, which takes place prior to any national reregistration of products.

Government: Odysseus Trust

Lord Selsdon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Odysseus Trust has been in receipt of public money, or of a donation from a person who is, or was at the time, a serving member of the Government; and, if so, what has been the extent of such payments.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Odysseus Trust does not receive any public funding. Other funding arrangements are not a matter for Government.

Immigration: Hunger Strikes

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Sri Lankan immigration detainees have been refusing food and fluids since 23 July; in which United Kingdom detention centres; and what is the Government's response to this development.

Lord West of Spithead: The number of Sri Lankan nationals who have been refusing meals since 23 July is 14. All are located at Harmondsworth and all are taking fluids. It is normal procedure to place a detainee on a missed meals log if they have missed four consecutive meals, not including breakfast, as this allows staff to monitor their health and welfare to ensure that they receive appropriate treatment where necessary.

Local Government: East of England

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much, on a per head of population basis, each county in the east of England region received from central Government, including agencies, for flood and sea defences in the last financial year.

Lord Rooker: Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The department funds most of the Environment Agency's (EA) flood-related work, and provides grant aid for individual capital improvement projects undertaken by local authorities and internal drainage boards.
	The EA is the principal authority with responsibility for managing flood risk but does not record expenditure in this manner, because some projects benefit more than one county. Because of this, the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	In total, about £4 billion has been invested across England on flood and coastal erosion measures since 1996-97. Expenditure is set to increase further, from the current level of £600 million a year to £800 million in 2010-11.

North Korea: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the European Community Humanitarian Office about their support for the work of non-governmental organisations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; when any such discussions took place; who was present; what was discussed; and what was the outcome.

Baroness Vadera: DfID has not had any discussions with the European Community Humanitarian Office—ECHO—on this subject. A EuropeAid delegation visited Pyongyang in April. It held discussions with representatives from member states, including our ambassador. It confirmed that it would continue to take responsibility for international non-governmental organisations working in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, but that the change in the European programme from humanitarian to broader development issues might mean a change in the non-governmental organisations with which it worked.

Water Supply: Ptaquiloside

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs currently funds or plans to fund independent research groups to enable further studies of ptaquiloside in drinking water in the United Kingdom.

Lord Rooker: Defra does not currently fund or plan to fund any research on ptaquiloside in drinking water. The Drinking Water Inspectorate considers that bracken compounds, including ptaquiloside, that may leach into water are unlikely to pose a significant hazard to human health as a result of their dilution in public drinking water supply systems.
	Answers received between Monday 3 September and Friday 7 September 2007

Animal Welfare: Wild Birds

Lord Krebs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Natural England is empowered to issue licences to wing-tag or web-tag wild birds for research purposes under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Lord Rooker: Natural England is authorised under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 16(1)(a) to grant licences for the purpose of taking wild birds for scientific, research or educational purposes, and under Section 16(1)(b) taking wild birds for the purpose of ringing or marking (which can include using wing-tags or web-tags), or examining any ring or mark on wild birds. Natural England may only grant licences if it is satisfied that there is no other satisfactory solution.
	Licences issued by Natural England do not override any other licensing requirements; for example, those required by the Home Office for scientific procedures. Equally they do not permit actions prohibited by any other legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Armed Forces: Spending

Lord Sheikh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of the increase in the United Kingdom's military commitments, why defence spending as a proportion of gross domestic product has fallen from 2.9 per cent in 1997 to 2.5 per cent in April 2007; and whether they will revise the Strategic Defence Review to match these commitments.

Lord Drayson: Compared with 1997-98, the defence budget in 2007-08 is some 8 per cent higher in real terms. However, GDP has increased by 32 per cent between 1997 Q2 and 2007 Q2, allowing increased defence spending in real terms, while remaining broadly constant as a percentage of GDP.
	We review our long-term defence policy on a regular basis. The White Papers Strategic Defence Review: A New Chapter2002 (Cm 5566) and Delivering Security in a Changing World: Defence White Paper 2003 (Cm 6041-I) reaffirmed the challenges and requirements identified in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review White Paper(Cm 3999) and our current analysis continues to support this policy.

Army: Officer Selection

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 23 July (HL4794) on Territorial Army commissions, what proportion of candidates interviewed were interviewed for a Group A Territorial Army commission as opposed to a Group B commission, for each of the five financial years specified.

Lord Drayson: The information on whether a candidate for the Army Officer Selection Board (Territorial Army) is interviewed for a Group A or Group B commission is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate effort.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which 50 firms of solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation have registered the highest number of claims; and whether they will set out by reference to each such firm (a) the number of claims registered; (b) the number of claims subject to final settlement; and (c) the number of claims which remain outstanding.

Lord Drayson: The 50 claimants' representatives who have registered the highest number of claims in respect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under the coal health compensation schemes as at 22 July 2007 as requested above are shown in the table below:
	
		
			 Claimants' Representatives Claims Registered *1 Total Settled *2 Total Outstanding 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 80,857 60,364 20,493 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 58,058 45,829 12,229 
			 Hugh James Ford & Simey 56,785 42,093 14,692 
			 Raleys Solicitors 48,838 31,995 16,843 
			 Browell Smith & Co 32,965 23,085 9,880 
			 Avalon 32,415 22,600 9,815 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 25,735 22,014 3,721 
			 UDM 16,602 15,148 1,454 
			 Barber & Co 14,093 11,943 2,150 
			 Watson Burton 14,077 12,920 1,157 
			 Graysons 12,965 11,210 1,755 
			 Corries Solicitors 12,941 9,811 3,130 
			 Ashton Morton Slack 10,201 8,574 1,627 
			 Randall Lloyd Jenkins & Martin 9,848 8,250 1,598 
			 Delta Legal 9,425 6,870 2,555 
			 The Legal Warehouse 8,098 6,915 1,183 
			 Moss 7,938 7,295 643 
			 Ingrams 7,929 6,533 1,396 
			 Birchall Blackburn 7,657 4,793 2,864 
			 Irwin Mitchell 6,781 6,423 358 
			 Gorman Hamilton 6,241 5,114 1,127 
			 Towells 5,848 5,605 243 
			 BRM Solicitors 5,578 4,865 713 
			 Kidd & Spoor Harper 5,440 4,849 591 
			 Wake Smith 4,420 3,831 589 
			 Hilary Meredith 4,132 3,251 881 
			 1 Legal 3,690 1,715 1,975 
			 Atteys 3,572 3,232 340 
			 OH Parsons 3,342 3,026 316 
			 Ryan Carlisle Thomas 3,157 1,595 1,562 
			 Recompense 3,041 2,392 649 
			 Shaw & Co Solicitors 2,940 2,335 605 
			 Simpson Millar Solicitors 2,548 2,242 306 
			 Onyems 2,504 1,855 649 
			 Bailey Bravo Jobling 2,466 1,553 913 
			 Furley Page 1,964 1,715 249 
			 Meloy Whittle Robinson 1,959 1,485 474 
			 Marrons 1,915 1,647 268 
			 Mortons 1,909 1,688 221 
			 Morisons 1,841 1,491 350 
			 Latham & Co Solicitors 1,740 1,630 110 
			 McConville O'Neill 1,707 1,029 678 
			 TS Edwards & Son Solicitors 1,670 1,462 208 
			 Thompson & Co Solicitors 1,658 1,409 249 
			 Proddow & Mackay Solicitors 1,598 1,421 177 
			 Cordner Lewis Solicitors 1,506 1,174 332 
			 Hopkins Solicitors 1,475 1,233 242 
			 Kingslegal 1,459 1,282 177 
			 Hickmotts Solicitors 1,384 1,244 140 
			 Blackett Hart & Pratt 1,253 1,129 124 
			 Total 558,165 433,164 125,001 
			 * 1 Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered, i.e. exclude minimum data set claims.* 2 Settled claims includes claims settled by full and final payment, denial or withdrawal.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which 50 firms of solicitors in the British Coal vibration white finger litigation have registered the highest number of claims; and whether they will set out by reference to each such firm (a) the number of claims registered; (b) the number of claims subject to final settlement; and (c) the number of claims which remain outstanding.

Lord Drayson: The 50 claimants' representatives who registered the highest number of claims in respect of vibration white finger under the coal health compensation schemes as at 22 July 2007, as requested above, are shown in the table below:
	
		
			 Claimants' Representitives Claims Registered Total Settled *1 Total Outstanding 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 21,073 16,825 4,248 
			 Browell Smith & Co 16,464 15,055 1,409 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 11,625 10,838 787 
			 UDM 11,528 10,914 614 
			 Raleys Solicitors 11,279 9,848 1,431 
			 Hugh James Ford & Simey 10,637 9,716 921 
			 Graysons 8,700 7,260 1,440 
			 Moss 7,383 6,849 534 
			 Watson Burton 5,934 4,970 964 
			 Towells 5,355 4,861 494 
			 Ashton Morton Slack 5,288 4,981 307 
			 Kidd & Spoor Harper 3,669 3,132 537 
			 Atteys 3,359 2,921 438 
			 OH Parsons 2,702 2,493 209 
			 Corries Solicitors 2,381 1,824 557 
			 Irwin Mitchell 2,363 2,084 279 
			 Shaw & Co Solicitors 2,266 1,827 439 
			 Saffmans 2,234 2,070 164 
			 Kingslegal 1,885 1,757 128 
			 Latham & Co Solicitors 1,843 1,543 300 
			 McLeish Carswell 1,625 1,596 29 
			 Oxley & Coward 1,573 1,354 219 
			 Randall Lloyd Jenkins & Martin 1,514 1,235 279 
			 Mortons 1,505 1,368 137 
			 TS Edwards & Son Solicitors 1,441 1,375 66 
			 Hickmotts Solicitors 1,363 1,339 24 
			 Morisons 1,192 968 224 
			 Thompson & Co Solicitors 1,161 959 202 
			 Marrons 1,160 1,080 80 
			 Gorman Hamilton 1,111 936 175 
			 Hopkins Solicitors 980 881 99 
			 Meloy Whittle Robinson 817 756 61 
			 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 814 770 44 
			 The Legal Warehouse 799 746 53 
			 Furley Page 740 696 44 
			 Gabb & Co 630 505 125 
			 Endlars Solicitors 598 522 76 
			 Russell Young Solicitors 586 560 26 
			 Frank Allen Pennington 512 442 70 
			 Gorvin Smith Fort Solicitors 446 427 19 
			 Branton Bridge 396 384 12 
			 Mincoffs Solicitors 367 317 50 
			 Ross Harper Solicitors 346 329 17 
			 Blackett Hart & Pratt 339 275 64 
			 Wake Smith 335 315 20 
			 Holmes & Hills Solicitors 318 303 15 
			 Robinson King Solicitors 299 270 29 
			 Simpson Millar Solicitors 286 262 24 
			 McConville 0'Neill 275 234 41 
			 Treanors Solicitors 270 244 26 
			 Total 161,766 143,216 18,550 
			 * 1 Settled claims includes claims settled by full and final payment, denial or withdrawal.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the finding in the Coal Health Compensation Schemes report of the National Audit Office, published on 18 July, that through its handling company, Vendside Limited, the Union of Democratic Mineworkers had registered many claims under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and the British Coal vibration white finger litigation; and, if so, whether each of those claimants would have been required, at some stage, to pay Vendside's fee, notwithstanding the payment of their legal costs by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Lord Drayson: The department meets the costs of claimants' representatives under the terms of both the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger schemes. However, we would not be privy to any additional agreement reached between claimants and their representatives.
	The department is aware that there have been instances where Vendside has charged a fee when claimants have entered into an agreement with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers. These fees are not related to the costs paid by the department to claimants' representatives.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide the names of each firm of solicitors which served on the panel of solicitors operated by the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and its claims handling company, Vendside Limited, in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and the British Coal vibration white finger litigation; and whether those panel members included Beresfords, Ashton Morton Slack, Wake Smith and Moss Legal LLP.

Lord Drayson: Membership, or otherwise, of any panel and its legal effect is a matter presently the subject of an application before the court and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will put into the public domain the agreement signed in 1999 between the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and the Department of Trade and Industry in the British Coal vibration white finger litigation, having regard to the recommendations of the Boys Smith report cited by the National Audit Office in its report, Coal Health Compensation Schemes, published on 18 July.

Lord Drayson: The department has published the claims handling agreement with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers on the department's webpage: http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/coal-health/publications/claims-handling-agreements/cha-f/page20775.html

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Having regard to the recommendations of the Boys Smith report cited by the National Audit Office in its report, Coal Health Compensation Schemes, what plans they have to corroborate the Union of Democratic Mineworkers' data, especially in relation to the completeness of the list of all claims handled in order to determine compliance by the union in respect of the two schemes under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and the British Coal vibration white finger litigation.

Lord Drayson: Information has been provided by the UDM, and further information has been sought within proceedings before the court. It would be inappropriate to comment until the issue has been ruled upon.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the recommendation of the Boys Smith report cited by the National Audit Office in its report, Coal Health Compensation Schemes, that if in future an agreement between two parties is set up, similar to those between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and Vendside Limited in the British Coal litigation, designed to regulate the costs payable to third parties, there should be explicit safeguards with a view to binding those parties to the intended arrangements.

Lord Drayson: Information has been provided by the UDM, and further information has been sought within proceedings before the court. It would be inappropriate to comment until the issue has been ruled upon. Click here to read the amendment to this reply.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Beresfords Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.01.

Lord Drayson: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Beresfords Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			  Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a <1 16 
			 b 1 - 1.99 4 
			 c 2 - 2.99 6 
			 d 3 - 5.00 20 
			 e 5.01 - 10 53 
			 f 10.01 - 15 52 
			 g 15.01 - 20 60 
			 h 20.01 - 50 378 
			 i 50.01 - 75 324 
			 j 75.01 - 100 293 
			 k 100.01 - 200 1,224 
			 1 200.01 - 300 1,328 
			 m 300.01 - 500 2,656 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 5,301 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 27,489 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 3,432 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 4,480 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 1,911 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 735 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 1,180 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 442 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 265 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 129 
			 x 30,000.01 - 50,000 183 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 33 
			 z >= 75,000.01 10 
			 Total  52,0041 
			 1 Of which 25,694 (49 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Wake Smith Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.

Lord Drayson: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Wake Smith Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			 Band Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a <1 1 
			 b 1 - 1.99 0 
			 c 2 - 2.99 0 
			 d 3 - 5.00 0 
			 e 5.01 - 10 2 
			 f 10.01 - 15 3 
			 g 15.01 - 20 2 
			 h 20.01 - 50 16 
			 i 50.01 - 75 17 
			 j 75.01 - 100 20 
			 k 100.01 - 200 106 
			 l 200.01 - 300 134 
			 m 300.01 - 500 323 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 663 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 1,257 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 272 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 181 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 167 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 59 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 98 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 38 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 27 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 14 
			 x 30,000.01 -50,000 25 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 4 
			 z >= 75,000.01 1 
			 Total  3,4301 
			 1 Of which 765 (22 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Avalon Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.

Lord Drayson: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Avalon Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			 Band Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a < 1 15 
			 b 1 - 1.99 0 
			 c 2 - 2.99 0 
			 d 3 — 5.00 1 
			 e 5.01 - 10 5 
			 f 10.01 - 15 8 
			 g 15.01 - 20 10 
			 h 20.01 - 50 42 
			 i 50.01 - 75 34 
			 j 75.01 - 100 31 
			 k 100.01 - 200 158 
			 1 200.01 - 300 132 
			 m 300.01 - 500 266 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 420 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 13,613 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 498 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 1,208 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 504 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 173 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 261 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 98 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 57 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 28 
			 x 30,000.01 - 50,000 26 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 4 
			 z >= 75,000.01 5 
			 Total  17,5971 
			 1 Of which 14,111 (80 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants by the Union of Democratic Mineworkers in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.

Lord Drayson: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by the Union of Democratic Mineworkers in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			 Band Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a <1 8 
			 b 1 - 1.99 11 
			 c 2 - 2.99 4 
			 d 3 - 5.00 13 
			 e 5.01 - 10 28 
			 f 10.01 - 15 33 
			 g 15.01 - 20 30 
			 h 20.01 - 50 208 
			 i 50.01 - 75 152 
			 j 75.01 - 100 132 
			 k 100.01 - 200 365 
			 1 200.01 - 300 317 
			 m 300.01 - 500 643 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 1,390 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 5,584 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 1,597 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 1,586 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 566 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 217 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 356 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 123 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 80 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 73 
			 x 30,000.01 - 50,000 103 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 36 
			 z >= 75,000.01 16 
			 Total  13,6711 
			 1 Of which 4,671 (34 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Ashton Morton Slack Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.

Lord Drayson: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Ashton Morton Slack Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			 Band Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a <1 6 
			 b 1 - 1.99 2 
			 c 2 - 2.99 2 
			 d 3 - 5.00 8 
			 e 5.01 - 10 19 
			 f 10.01 - 15 13 
			 g 15.01 - 20 19 
			 h 20.01 - 50 107 
			 i 50.01 - 75 94 
			 j 75.01 - 100 67 
			 k 100.01 - 200 217 
			 1 200.01 - 300 142 
			 m 300.01 - 500 248 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 489 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 3,439 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 409 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 507 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 210 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 81 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 170 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 85 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 66 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 50 
			 x 30,000.01 - 50,000 60 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 13 
			 z >= 75,000.01 4 
			 Total  6,5271 
			 1Of which 3,113 (48 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Watson Burton Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, broken down as between, the following bands: (a) 1p to 99p; (b) £1 to £1.99; (c) £2 to £2.99; (d) £3 to £5; (e) £5.01 to £10; (f) £10.01 to £15; (g) £15.01 to £20; (h) £20.01 to £50; (i) £50.01 to £75; (j) £75.01 to £100; (k) £100.01 to £200; (l) £200.01 to £300; (m) £300.01 to £500; (n) £500.01 to £1,000; (o) £1,000.01 to £2,000; (p) £2,000.01 to £3,200; (q) £3,200.01 to £5,000; (r) £5,000.01 to £8,000; (s) £8,000.01 to £10,000; (t) £10,000.01 to £15,000; (u) £15,000.01 to £20,000; (v) £20,000.01 to £25,000; (w) £25,000.01 to £30,000; (x) £30,000.01 to £50,000; (y) 50,000.01 to £75,000; (z) in excess of £75,000.

Lord Jones of Birmingham: The amounts of compensation paid to claimants represented by Watson Burton Solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation scheme as at 29 July 2007, broken down as requested, are given in the following table:
	
		
			 Band Total damages paid on claim (£) Claims settled by payment 
			 a <1 4 
			 b 1 - 1.99 0 
			 c 2 - 2.99 1 
			 d 3 - 5.00 4 
			 e 5.01 - 10 4 
			 f 10.01 - 15 2 
			 g 15.01 - 20 3 
			 h 20.01 - 50 55 
			 i 50.01 - 75 50 
			 j 75.01 - 100 48 
			 k 100.01 - 200 193 
			 1 200.01 - 300 255 
			 m 300.01 - 500 459 
			 n 500.01 - 1,000 1,097 
			 o 1,000.01 - 2,000 5,182 
			 p 2,000.01 - 3,200 1,261 
			 q 3,200.01 - 5,000 1,248 
			 r 5,000.01 - 8,000 652 
			 s 8,000.01 - 10,000 262 
			 t 10,000.01 - 15,000 449 
			 u 15,000.01 - 20,000 207 
			 v 20,000.01 - 25,000 151 
			 w 25,000.01 - 30,000 113 
			 x 30,000.01 - 50,000 209 
			 y 50,000.01 - 75,000 55 
			 z >= 75,000.01 21 
			 Total  11,9851 
			 1 Of which 4,279 (36 per cent) were settled by fast-track payments.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made any assessment of the amount of money deducted by solicitors from compensation awarded to retired miners and widows in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, the British Coal vibration white finger litigation and the British Coal industrial deafness litigation; and, if so, whether they have assessed the accuracy of the estimate made by David Russell, a British Coal solicitor, that moneys withheld from those claimants will be in excess of £100 million.

Lord Drayson: The department has no access to agreements between claimants, their solicitors and third parties and therefore no means of making such an assessment.

Computers: Viruses

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold talks with representatives of computer manufacturing and sales companies to combat the rise in household computers affected by virus invasion.

Lord Drayson: The Government recognise that security issues such as the risk of viruses can undermine user confidence. The department has regular dialogue with the IT industry through forums such as the Information Age Partnership. We are actively involved in a range of activities to improve the security of electronic transactions, including close involvement of government specialists in identifying software and hardware vulnerabilities and how they are exploited by virus writers and others. This work with software and information security product suppliers has improved the ability of consumers to respond to the threat of viruses and nearly all home computing products now come pre-installed with appropriate software to prevent infection by viruses.

Energy: Micro-generation

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average price of electricity sold from the grid per kilowatt/hour; and what is the average price of electricity paid to operators of microgenerators who sell electricity back to the grid.

Lord Drayson: The average retail price of UK electricity in 2006 was 10.24 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). Comparable data regarding the average price of electricity produced and "exported" by microgenerators are not available.
	Microgenerators can sell any excess electricity generated to supplier companies (provided an export meter is installed). The amount offered will vary, as in the case of import. All six major energy suppliers have now committed to publishing easily accessible export tariffs in future. In Budget 2007 the Government asked the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, to examine how households can benefit more from the prices paid to them when they sell their excess electricity; it will report in the autumn.

Government: Advisers

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will amend the ministerial code to regulate the role of Members of the House of Lords who are named as advisers to the Government; and whether there will be any restrictions on remunerated employment undertaken by such advisers during and after their term of office in areas relating to their responsibilities in advising the Government; and
	Whether Members of the House of Lords who have an official status as advisers to the Government will be required to register publicly all earnings relating to the subjects on which they are advising the Government; and
	Whether, in their role as advisers to the Government, Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Baroness Neuberger, Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington and Baroness Williams of Crosby will be entitled to receive (a) secretarial assistance above their current entitlement as Members of the House of Lords; (b) expenses above their current entitlement as Members of the House of Lords; (c) use of office space on government premises; (d) courier services; (e) access to the government car service; and (f) access to confidential Cabinet and departmental papers; and
	Whether, in their role as advisers to the Government, Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Baroness Neuberger, Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington and Baroness Williams of Crosby will be bound by the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The advisers will have access to relevant departmental papers as appropriate. The Official Secrets Act and the normal rules on confidentiality when working with the Government will apply. Should they wish, they will have use of office space in the relevant government departments and access to secretarial assistance as appropriate. They will be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses associated with their role.
	In addition, they are covered by the rules of the House, including the requirements of the Register of Lords' Interests.

Government: Salaries

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 12 July (WA 242), why some Ministers have had their salaries reduced or removed; and what the reasons are in each case; and
	Whether the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 12 July (WA 242) on members of the Government who serve in the House of Lords and their salaries complies with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code; and
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 12 July (WA 242), whether they will provide details of the individual salaries paid to each member of the Government.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Within the limits set out in the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975, the appointment of Ministers is at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
	As my noble friend stated in his previous answer to the noble Lord [col. 242], the salaries payable to Ministers are publicly available at www.civilservice. gov.uk/other/parliamentary/pay/ministerial/index.asp and are available in the House Library for the reference of noble Lords. The list of Government also referred to in the previous answer to the noble Lord, and which is also available in the House Library, notes the level of each appointment and which members of the Government are unpaid.

Gulf War Veterans

Lord Tyler: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 23 July (WA 69) about the text of the letter sent to Gulf War veterans by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Defence and copied to Lord Craig of Radley, Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Lord Morris of Manchester, what consultation took place between the Ministry and the Pensions Appeal Tribunal about the text; and whether the Tribunal, as the duly appointed legal authority for deciding war pension appeals, has accepted the Ministry's use of the term Gulf War Syndrome.

Lord Drayson: No consultation took place with the three Pension Appeal Tribunal (PAT) jurisdictions concerning the text of the letter to Gulf War veterans. The letter explains the Ministry of Defence's use of the umbrella term Gulf War Syndrome. The role of the PAT is to determine individual appeals before it. There was, therefore, no reason for consultation with the PAT.

House of Lords: Reform

Lord Lucas: asked the Leader of the House:
	Whether she will provide further details before the Summer Recess on how she proposes that Back-Bench Members should be involved in evolving proposals for a wholly or mainly elected House of Lords.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: I refer the noble Lord to my letter of 19 July.

Iraq: Military Accommodation

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the Army's sleeping accommodation in Iraq has roofs capable of withstanding a direct hit from a mortar or small arms fire; and
	How many soldiers are accommodated under canvas on United Kingdom military bases in Iraq; and
	What proportion of United Kingdom personnel at Basra airport will be accommodated in areas without roofs capable of withstanding a direct hit from a mortar or small arms fire; and
	What proportion of toilets on United Kingdom bases in Iraq are mortar proof.

Lord Drayson: Protection of our forces in Iraq is an extremely high priority and a number of improvements have been, and continue to be, made to enhance our layered approach to force protection. However, I will not disclose information on the force protection capability of accommodation or indeed any buildings and structures at our bases in Iraq as it would be, or would likely be, prejudicial to the safety and security of our Armed Forces.

NATO: Reserve Battlegroups

Lord Sheikh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of the Secretary of State for Defence's announcement in February that NATO has made a request for two manoeuvre reserve battlegroups, one of which the United Kingdom is providing, what progress has been made in discussions with NATO allies about providing the second battlegroup.

Lord Drayson: The NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan currently consists of approximately 36,000 troops. The UK announced an increased deployment to Afghanistan in February in response to a NATO request for additional forces. We continue to work with other partners to encourage effective contributions to the international commitment to Afghanistan. Since February, several allies have increased the size of their deployments in the country and NATO Force Generation efforts continue, although the battlegroup referred to has still to be found.

Olympic Games 2012: Scrutiny

Baroness Valentine: asked the Leader of the House:
	Whether specific arrangements have been made for Members of the House of Lords to scrutinise the Government on developments for the London Olympics in a similar arrangement to that put in place for Members of the House of Commons.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: No specific arrangements have been put in place by which Members of the House of Lords are able to scrutinise the Government on developments for the London Olympics.

Waste Management

Lord Baker of Dorking: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will invite the Waste and Resources Action Programme to publish the amounts they have provided by way of grants, loans, investments, joint ventures and trials to each of the projects they have funded over the past three years together with an assessment of the effectiveness of the projects.

Lord Rooker: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) already publishes an annual report and accounts at the end of each funding year, as well as an achievements report, which assesses the headline impacts of its projects.
	Reports are available from 2000 from WRAP's website: www.wrap.org.uk.
	WRAP's latest (2006-07) annual report and accounts was published on 3 August 2007. Its achievements report will be published in October 2007.

Waste Management: Recycled Aggregate

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been made of the impact of the Waste and Resources Action Programme's promotional campaign encouraging local authorities to use recycled aggregate.

Lord Rooker: The Government-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) Achievements Report 2005/6 details the progress so far in encouraging the use of recycled aggregate by local authorities. WRAP's recycled roads campaign, combined with tailored procurement guidance (including standard contract clauses) has helped to more than double the number of councils directly specifying recycled aggregates in their highway contracts. A survey carried out by WRAP found that 21 per cent of local authorities specified recycled and secondary aggregates in their street maintenance contracts, compared with only 10 per cent in the pre-campaign survey. This exceeded WRAP's 20 per cent target for 2006.
	In the same period, WRAP also secured an additional 3.14 million tonnes a year of reprocessing capacity for aggregates, against their target of 3 million tonnes.
	Through its advocacy campaigns, WRAP continues to offer bespoke advice and guidance to local authorities to encourage and enable them to use more recycled content in their highways projects.
	Answers received between Monday 10 September and Friday 14 September 2007

Afghanistan: Rules of Engagement

Lord Sheikh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent efforts they have made to persuade other NATO members to reduce the number of caveats in some countries' rules of engagement in Afghanistan.

Lord Malloch-Brown: My right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary and other Ministers are in regular contact with NATO members to discuss all aspects of Allied contributions to Afghanistan, including national caveats. The UK has also fully supported efforts made by NATO itself to keep these caveats to a minimum in order to give commanders on the ground greater operational flexibility. It is noteworthy that France and Germany reduced the caveats on their Afghanistan deployments following the NATO summit in Riga on 28 and 29 November 2006.

Armed Forces: Compensation Scheme

Lord Morris of Aberavon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Armed Forces compensation scheme has paid out in each year since its inception; what were the highest and lowest amounts the scheme paid; and what was the average payment made to individuals under the scheme.

Lord Drayson: The Armed Forces compensation scheme came into effect on 6 August 2005, since when the following compensation has been awarded. Awards under the scheme can be in the form of a one-off lump sum payment and/or regular monthly payments.
	
		
			 Amount of compensation awarded under the Armed  Forces Compensation Scheme in 2005-06 and 2006-07(1) 
			  Amount awarded in lump sums (including bereavement grants) Amount awarded as a guaranteed income payment (including Survivors guaranteed income payments) 
			 2005-06 £489,000 £107,000 
			 2006-07 £5,875,000 £567,000 
			 (1) Data have been rounded to the nearest £1,000. 
		
	
	The highest lump sum awarded was approximately £202,000; the lowest lump sum awarded was approximately £1,000; and the average (median) lump sum awarded was approximately £5,000.

Aviation: Air Quality

Lord Tyler: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the Cockpit Fumes—Fault Finding Instruction INFO 010/07 issued by the freight company DHL to all pilots on 26 January.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The DHL instruction referred to has been assessed by a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) flight operations inspector as part of the full range of company instructions relating to smoke, fumes and air contamination. The instruction was promulgated as follow-up information additional to the relevant normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. These include company guidance for the use of oxygen and masks. The inspector found the instruction acceptable in that context and the operator has taken steps to ensure in training sessions that it must not be interpreted as a dilution of the company's safety policy with regard to the reporting of incidents of this type.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Malloch-Brown on 18 July (WA 24) on British citizenship, whether they will publish in the Official Report paragraph 5 of the British record of the meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 22 November 2006 between Nepalese and United Kingdom officials to discuss aspects of Nepalese nationality law; and whether they will explain the basis for their statements that (a) they have insufficient knowledge of Nepalese law to comment on whether dual nationality is permitted in Nepal, and (b) Nepalese authorities have not advised them whether or not dual nationality is permitted under Nepalese law.

Lord West of Spithead: The complete meeting record has been placed in the Library of the House pursuant to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 14 June (WA 267).
	Paragraph five of the record states: "5. (Official) asked the Nepalese Side for its understanding of the meaning of 'own free will' as set out in section 9(1). For instance, he questioned, was it possible for a young child to acquire another citizenship of his own will. The Nepalese Side said the most important thing to remember was that Nepalese citizenship law does not allow for dual nationality in any circumstances. In this context, the Nepalese Side cited the sections 6(1)(c), 6(3)(b) and 6B(1) of the Act which require the relinquishing of other nationalities by those becoming Nepalese. Whilst the Nepalese Side agreed that a young child is not generally considered exercising his 'own free will' in such matters, the reality was that age had no bearing on whether a person would remain a Nepalese citizen if he acquired another citizenship".
	In practice many individuals who, on the basis of the information provided at the meeting in November 2006, we would not expect to be Nepalese have been found to hold certificates of Nepalese citizenship. In these cases it is appropriate to ask the holder to provide confirmation from the issuing authority of the circumstances in which the certificate came to be issued and the effect, if any, that it is considered to have as a matter of Nepalese law.

Broadcasting: Violence

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to impose restrictions on violent scenes in films and television dramas.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There already are restrictions on what may be shown and to whom.
	The British Board of Film Classification considers all cinema films and videos made available to the public in the UK against a set of guidelines which take into account levels of violence. Films are then awarded an age-related classification. It is then an offence to admit to a cinema or to sell or rent a video to someone who does not meet the age requirement.
	The Ofcom broadcasting code requires that violence, its after-effects and descriptions of violence, whether verbal or physical, are limited in programmes broadcast before the 9 pm watershed or when children are particularly likely to be listening and must also be justified by the context. Programmes must not include material that condones or glamorises violent, dangerous or seriously anti-social behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour.
	We have recently announced a review that will look at ways that parents can protect their children from exposure to inappropriate or potentially harmful content on the internet and in computer games.

Bulgaria and Libya: Death Penalty

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Bulgaria over their continued use of the death penalty.

Lord Malloch-Brown: I believe that the noble Lord is referring to the imposition of the death penalty on Bulgarian nationals in Libya, rather than Bulgaria. The Government have made their opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances clear to the Government of Libya. The UK lobbied Libya on the death penalty at the UK/Libya Bilateral Steering Committee on 4 September 2006. Most recently, our ambassador in Tripoli raised the subject when he met the Libyan Justice Minister on 8 February.
	In 2004 Colonel Gaddafi reiterated his view that Libya should ultimately seek to abolish the practice. We will continue to seek appropriate opportunities to lobby Libya on this issue.
	The UK has been actively engaged in the case of the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical workers sentenced to death in Libya for allegedly infecting children in a Benghazi hospital with HIV. Their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment on 17 July and they returned to Bulgaria on 24 July.

Buses

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are able to vary that part of the Domestic Drivers Hours Regulations which affects local bus services without recourse to European Union regulations; and
	Whether every European Union member state has its own Domestic Drivers Hours Regulations relating to local bus services which have a 50 kilometre limit; and
	Whether it is a legal requirement of the European Union that the 50 kilometre rule should apply to local bus service operations in every member state; and, if so, which regulation provides that this should override domestic legislation for drivers' hours.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: European Community (EC) law becomes part of UK law by virtue of the European Communities Act 1972 and takes precedence over existing domestic legislation. The European regulation on drivers' hours (Regulation (EC) 561/2006) is directly applicable and applies to vehicles used for the carriage of passengers where the vehicle is constructed or permanently adapted for carrying more than nine persons including the driver.
	There is an automatic exemption from the EC regulation for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers on regular services where the route does not exceed 50 kilometres. However, member states must ensure that drivers of such vehicles are governed by national rules which provide adequate protection in terms of permitted driving times and mandatory breaks and rest periods. The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that each member state has such national rules.
	In the UK drivers of regular passenger services on routes not exceeding 50 kilometres are subject to the domestic drivers' hours rules. The Government can vary how these rules apply to such drivers without recourse to the EC regulation.

Chad

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have held with European Union Ministers on the deployment and potential mandate of the international peacekeeping troops to Chad and their relationship with the United Nations, African Union and NATO.

Lord Malloch-Brown: At the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council discussion between EU Ministers on 23 July, the UK strongly endorsed the French initiative for an EU bridging force in Chad until the UN itself is able to deploy a peacekeeping mission there. The UK will continue to work with the French and other EU partners, as well as the UN, to determine the best option for troop deployments to improve the security and humanitarian situation in the region.

Chad

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to commit (a) troops or (b) civilian personnel to a European Union or other international peacekeeping force in Chad.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK has made clear its support for an international military and police presence in Chad, notably through its support for UN Security Council Resolution 1706. Consistent with this approach, the UK has supported strongly recent French proposals for an EU bridging military force in Chad until such a time as the UN is itself ready to deploy. Planning for the potential military force is so far at an early stage and no decisions have therefore been made on a UK contribution.

Cleaning: Labelling

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they anticipate any adverse effects on the United Kingdom cleaning and hygiene industry resulting from the forthcoming agreement on the globally harmonised system for the labelling and classification of chemicals; and, if so, what steps they will take to mitigate any such effects.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: As the globally harmonised system (GHS) will be introduced by means of a European regulation, it will apply equally to all suppliers across the European Union. We do not anticipate that UK suppliers of cleaning and hygiene products will be affected more than similar suppliers within other member states.
	An initial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) explores the general impacts of the proposed Regulation in terms of costs and benefits. All those supplying the European market will have a one-off cost due to the transition from the present EU classification and labelling scheme to the GHS. Suppliers who export outside Europe will benefit as other trading blocks also adopt the GHS.
	On 14 August 2007 a UK consultative document was launched inviting comments over a 12-week period on the proposed Regulation and on the initial RIA. The consultative document can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd213.htm
	The Government are aware that the cleaning and hygiene sector is concerned that under the GHS some of its products may be classified more severely than under the present system. The industry has been invited to provide details of how it is applying the GHS criteria to its products, so officials can discuss with them whether the full use is being made of the flexibilities written into the GHS.

Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 2 July (HC Deb, col. 41WS) on the single farm payment, how many cases have subsequently been resolved; and how many are still outstanding.

Lord Rooker: The Secretary of State reported on 2 July that the next step in improving the Rural Payments Agency's performance was to complete work on some 20,000 single payment scheme cases where entitlement values have been identified for review. Since the end of June over 18,000 cases have been resolved and 1,644 cases remain to be tackled.

Dogs

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have to improve the working of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Lord Rooker: The Government are carrying out a review of the dangerous dogs legislation, and Defra has sought the views of all chief police officers in England and Wales and the Association of Chief Constables (ACPO). The Scottish Executive have undertaken a similar exercise.
	Different options are now being discussed with ACPO. The views of other experts and stakeholders will also be sought before any final decisions are made.

Dogs

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many pit bull terrier dogs have been imported into the United Kingdom from the Republic of Ireland in each of the past five years; and how these dogs are identified as being pit bull terriers.

Lord Rooker: Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence to own or keep, breed or breed from, sell or exchange, or advertise or offer for sale or exchange any of the four types of prohibited dog, including pit bull terriers, unless it is on the index of exempted dogs and complies with the requirements of the index. Centrally held figures do not record the origin of any dogs seized under the Act and subsequently found to be a pit bull type.
	It is for the courts to determine if an individual dog is a prohibited type, based on whether it displays the relevant physical and behavioural characteristics. Under Section 5(5) of the Act it is automatically assumed that any dog subject to proceedings under Section 1 is a prohibited type unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Driving Test

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to restructure the driving test to allow suitable training on driving on the motorway system.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government announced in February the intention fundamentally to review the driver testing and training system. Work is ongoing to inform this and we plan to consult later in the year.

Energy: Combined Heat and Power

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial incentives they have in place to increase the installed capacity of combined heat and power to 10 gigawatts by 2010.

Lord Rooker: Financial incentives are granted to schemes certified under the UK combined heat and power (CHP) quality assurance programme. The incentives currently available include:
	(a) Exemption from the climate change levy for fuel inputs and electricity outputs.(b) Eligibility for enhanced capital allowances (ECAs).(c) Exemption from the business rates for CHP plant and machinery.(d) Favourable emission allocations within phase II of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. (e) Renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) for biomass CHP and for the biomass element of fuel utilised in qualifying energy from waste plants.
	We are also looking at further measures to support CHP. These include the introduction of banding in the renewables obligation which will double the level of ROCs available for biomass-fuelled CHP, and extending the ECA scheme to cover qualifying energy from waste plants.

Energy: Gas Storage

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to reach a decision on the planning appeal concerning a proposal to construct a gas storage facility at Caythorpe in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Baroness Andrews: Following the close of the public inquiry on 1l May 2007 into the related appeals and orders for the Caythorpe gas storage proposal, the inspector has prepared a report for consideration by Her Majesty's Government. Although this case is not one with a set statutory timetable, Her Majesty's Government are acutely aware of the need to ensure that a decision is taken in as timely a manner as possible.

EU: Article 308

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the forthcoming intergovernmental conference will propose the repeal of Article 308 of the European Community Treaty.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The intergovernmental conference (IGC) mandate states that Article 308 will be amended as agreed by the 2004 IGC, with an additional paragraph stating that "this Article cannot serve as a basis for attaining objectives pertaining to the Common Foreign and Security Policy".

EU: Commission

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Commission is entitled to take (a) legislative, and (b) executive decisions in cases where the Council of Ministers is unable to reach agreement; and, if so, which treaty provision authorises such action.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The powers of the European Commission are defined by Article 211 of the Treaty Establishing the European Communities signed on 25 March 1957, and include certain autonomous powers. Article 202 of the treaty allows the Council to delegate to the Commission powers for the implementation of rules laid down by the Council. But the Commission does not have the power to step in where the treaty confers powers on the Council, but the Council has failed to reach agreement.

EU: Constitution

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 18 July (WA 26), whether, when they signed the European Union Constitutional Treaty in 2004, they agreed that the United Kingdom's existing labour and social legislation, common law system, police and judicial processes, independent foreign and defence policy and tax and social security system could have been changed by the resulting constitution, had it come into force.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The constitutional treaty contained many sensible changes, which the Government supported, and which would have helped an enlarged EU deliver more effectively. But as the mandate for a reform treaty states clearly: "The constitutional concept, which consisted in repealing all existing Treaties and replacing them by a single text called 'Constitution', is abandoned".
	The reform treaty not only amends the existing treaties but also better safeguards our national control in key areas such as labour and social legislation, police and judicial processes, foreign and defence policy, and social security policy.

EU: Constitution

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of opinions expressed by other European heads of government and framers of the European constitutional treaty that the new proposals agreed at the meeting of the European Council in June are little different in content from the original, they will arrange for both Houses of Parliament to consider the proposals for a new treaty before it is signed by a Government Minister.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The reform treaty rejects the constitutional treaty approach. The mandate for the reform treaty agreed by the June European Council states clearly:
	"The constitutional concept, which consisted in repealing all existing Treaties and replacing them by a single text called 'Constitution', is abandoned."
	As with all previous European treaties, heads of state and government will sign a new treaty once they have agreed it; the treaty then requires ratification in each member state according to its own constitutional procedures. In the UK all treaties, including EU treaties, are laid before Parliament, which has the right to examine and debate them in detail. An Act of Parliament will give legal effect to the reform treaty, so Parliament must be satisfied before it can be implemented in UK law.

Food: Child Labour

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure (a) that chocolate sold in the United Kingdom is produced without the use of child slave labour; and (b) that consumers of cocoa products purchased in the United Kingdom can be satisfied that the products have been produced without the use of trafficked child slaves.

Baroness Vadera: In Ghana, DfID has provided support to cocoa farmers' associations to develop fair trade chocolate under the successful Divine brand. This aims to ensure better financial returns, working conditions and services in farming communities, including for children. One out of every 14 bars of premium dark chocolate bought in the UK is sold under the Divine brand.
	At the international level, the Government support the ratification and enforcement of international rights and standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The Government also encourage the work of the International Cocoa Organisation to promote sustainable economies in cocoa-producing countries through our links with the EU Working Party on Commodities. This includes strengthening institutional capacity to address forced labour and the worst forms of child labour.

Food: Child Labour

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom chocolate industry has fulfilled its obligations as detailed in the Harkin-Engel Protocol to prevent the use of trafficked children on cocoa plantations in west Africa that produce cocoa for chocolate consumed in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Vadera: There are no data recording the extent to which the UK chocolate industry complies with the Harkin-Engel protocol.
	The UK Government are a supporter of responsible business behaviour, including adherence to internationally recognised best practice guidelines. The UK promotes adherence to the OECD guidelines on multinational enterprises, which set recommendations for good corporate behaviour. The guidelines include clear recommendations that business should contribute to the abolition of child labour. NGOs and trade unions can raise and have raised complaints against companies for breaching the guidelines. Under the OECD mechanism the UK Government investigate the complaints and produce a conclusion, with recommendations for improvement if necessary.

Food: Child Labour

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking within the international community to ensure that children in cocoa-producing areas and areas from which children are trafficked have access to long-term education and training.

Baroness Vadera: DfID does not fund programmes that focus specifically on the education and training of children in areas concentrating on specific industries, but much of our country or region-wide funding on education or combating exploitation would benefit such children.
	For example:
	The UK is providing £8.5 billion over 10 years to help developing countries achieve universal primary education and gender equality in education by 2015.This is specifically helping partner countries to develop and implement ambitious education sector plans, aimed at getting all children into school, including those suffering disadvantage and exploitation. For example, DfID is putting £105 million towards Ghana's education strategic plan, which includes initiatives to provide more support to out-of-school and hard-to-reach children.DfID is providing £20 million over 2006-09 to support the International Labour Organisation's technical assistance programmes in support of decent work country programmes, including specific support for the elimination of forced labour and the co-operative facility for Africa programme.

Food: Child Labour

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure transparency within the cocoa supply chain to farm level; and what is their assessment of the effectiveness of this action in ensuring that chocolate sold in the United Kingdom is not produced from cocoa harvested by exploited children.

Baroness Vadera: The Government support initiatives to increase supply chain transparency and reduce the risk of child exploitation through active promotion of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, which set down the employment standards that the Government expect UK companies to implement in their supply chains. DfID has also provided £2.5 million over five years to the Ethical Trading Initiative, whose corporate members have adopted a code of practice to ensure that child labour is eliminated from the supply chain.
	Between 2002-07, the Government have given nearly £2 million to the Fairtrade Foundation. The mark is now on more than 1,500 products in the UK, including chocolate. We are talking to the foundation about its plans and potential DfID support. We want it to focus on the poorest producers, assess impact more rigorously, and have an impact on mainstream supermarket supply chains.

Food: Fair Trade

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to encourage the production of Fair Trade chocolate.

Baroness Vadera: The Government actively support initiatives to help more cocoa producers and their families benefit from Fair Trade certification and develop new products. Between 2002 and 2007 DfID has provided nearly £2 million to the Fairtrade Foundation to promote and extend its Fair Trade mark. The mark is now on over 1,500 products in the UK, including chocolate. We are talking to the foundation about their future plans and potential DfID support. We want them to expand the number of people benefiting from fair trade and achieve long-term financial self-sustainability.
	DfID has also supported the development of the successful Divine range of chocolate bars made by Ghanaian producers, which are available from all major UK retailers. The farmers are paid a premium price for the cocoa they grow, and funds are invested in community projects.

Government: Electronic Communications

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to harmonise electronic communications across Government by (a) eliminating the "gsi" string from department websites; and (b) ensuring that ministerial and officials' e-mail addresses are in the same format for all departments.

Lord Davies of Oldham: E-mail address formats are already generally consistent across government. However, individual addresses vary to reflect the community of interest (such as the Government Secure Intranet (GSI), the National Health Service or the Ministry of Defence) and the level of protectively marked information that is permitted to be sent and/or received. We have no plans to further harmonise electronic communications across Her Majesty's Government in the ways suggested.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they accept recent Pensions Appeal Tribunal decisions on "Gulf War syndrome" that this is the right label in cases where symptoms or signs have been accepted, as a matter of fact, as causally related to service during the Gulf theatre of operations but cannot be explained by some established pathology and that, in such cases, an award of "Gulf War syndrome" by a tribunal is not merely an umbrella label.

Lord Drayson: The Pensions Appeal Tribunal (PAT) is a statutory tribunal that determines individual veterans' appeals against decisions made by the Ministry of Defence in relation to War Pensions claims.
	The Government accept that once a decision of the Ministry of Defence has properly been referred to the PAT and the tribunal has decided that case—unless the Secretary of State for Defence has appealed it—the PAT's decision in that case is final and conclusive and must be implemented. Recent decisions by the PAT therefore either have been, or are being, implemented accordingly.
	The Government's policy, which has not changed, remains that where appropriate the term "Gulf War syndrome" should be used as an umbrella term covering any recognised medical condition caused by service and connected to service in the 1990-91 Gulf conflict.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by Lord Drayson on 16 July (WS 4), what investigations they have undertaken into the prevalence of motor neurone disease among Gulf War veterans compared with the civilian population; and what consideration they have given to treating the condition as Gulf War-related, as it is among United States veterans on the basis of investigations there.

Lord Drayson: Information on the prevalence of motor neurone disease (MND) among Gulf veterans is not available as we do not have access to the medical records of those who have left the Armed Forces. We are also not aware of any national database that registers the prevalence of MND in the general UK population. The Ministry of Defence actively monitors deaths and their causes among all Gulf veterans, both serving personnel and those discharged from the services. We report the findings regularly to Parliament and place them in the public domain. Our records show there have been four deaths among Gulf veterans due to MND, compared with an estimated five in the age-adjusted comparison group (Official Report, 16/7/07, col. WS4). The difference between these two figures is not statistically significant. By using the official mortality data for the general UK population, we estimate that there would have been four deaths in the UK population due to MND among a similar sized group to the number of Gulf veterans (53,462), with the same age and gender profile. On the basis of the mortality data that is available to us, we have no plans to carry out any further investigations ourselves into MND among Gulf veterans.
	We are aware of the US Institute of Medicine's review of the research literature on MND among US military personnel which concluded that there is only "limited and suggestive evidence of an association" between military service and later development of MND. We will monitor closely any further work carried out in the US but we have no current plans to treat MND as a Gulf-related service condition.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the comment in note 4 to the data on mortality among Gulf War veterans set out in the Written Statement by Lord Drayson on 16 July (WS 4) that "cases are included in which insufficient information is provided on the death certificate to clarify the known cause of death", how many such deaths were included; and whether they were followed up to obtain more information from the signatories of the death certificates on the cause of death.

Lord Drayson: The information in the latest national statistics notice on mortality among UK Gulf veterans is based on deaths reported to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the period 1 April 1991 to 30 June 2007 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The information is derived from the ONS's death registration databases for England and Wales and Scotland. This includes the underlying cause of death as listed on the death certificate.
	In the last national statistics release there were 11 deaths that were 'cases with insufficient information provided on the death certificate to provide a known cause of death', as reported in note 4 of the release. Five of these were for the Gulf veterans and six for the Era comparison group.
	The 11 deaths include four where the MoD has been notified of the fact of death and is waiting for information on the cause of death from a coroner. Should information on the cause of death become available at a later stage these records will be coded into the appropriate cause group. The seven remaining deaths have been confirmed by a coroner, but were coded in this category as the coroner could not determine an exact cause of death.
	Prior to the release of this national statistics notice all deaths missing a cause group were examined and efforts made to obtain any outstanding death certificates from the ONS. The MoD does not enter directly into correspondence with coroners, the Procurator Fiscal for Scotland, or other medical certifiers of death. Click here to view correspondence with Professor Hooper relating to this.

Health: Children's Palliative Care

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will accept all of the recommendations in the review of palliative care services for children in England by Sue Killen and Professor Sir Alan Craft; and
	What discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and HM Treasury over funding strategies recommended by the review of palliative care services for children in England by Sue Killen and Professor Sir Alan Craft; and
	Whether they will agree to additional funding for children's hospices in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, in addition to the £27 million spread over three years that was allocated in 2006; and
	What further consideration they will give to developing a long-term funding solution for children's hospices; and
	What discussions they have had on creating parity between children's and adult hospices in terms of the amount of statutory funding which each receives.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The independent review of children's palliative care services conducted by Professor Sir Alan Craft and Sue Killen was set up in June 2006 after the Government announced an additional £27 million of support for children's hospices over three years. The review report was published on 17 May this year and included a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening services, as well as the systems in which they operate.
	Some of the recommendations will require us to undertake further work, while others are for consideration by the voluntary sector, the Royal Colleges, regulators and other government departments such as the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
	We have set up a delivery group of key stakeholders to take forward the development of a national strategy for children's palliative care and will look to encompass as many of the report's recommendations as possible in this work. However, it is essential that we align as much of this as possible with the work arising from the conclusions contained in the joint HM Treasury, Department for Education and Skills review—Aiming High for Disabled Children.
	There is no requirement that primary care trusts should ensure adult or children's hospices receive a fixed proportion of their income from public spending. We have no plans to introduce such a requirement. Similarly, we are not able, at present, to confirm what will happen when the £27 million of hospice/hospice at home funding ends. It is right that the development of the national strategy considers this issue as we look at how best to deliver the conclusions from the independent review and the parallel work set out in Aiming High for Disabled Children. Some of this is about spending the current funding better, making sure we have the right services in place and involving children and parents in decisions.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Department of Health last consulted Diabetes UK about cuts in diabetes specialist services; and what is their response to the findings of the charity's recent survey that, in some areas, specialist foot services for people with diabetes are no longer provided.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department meets regularly with Diabetes UK to discuss a range of issues affecting people with diabetes and is aware of their views.
	The provision of specialist diabetes services, including specialist foot care services and podiatry, is a matter for local consideration, which should take into account the needs of the local population. It is for primary care trusts in partnership with local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, outlined in the national service frameworks, and to commission services accordingly.
	In April 2006 the National Diabetes Support Team produced a Diabetic Foot Guide. This aims to support the National Health Service in developing integrated and effective diabetic foot care services.

Health: National Co-ordination

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements are in place to co-ordinate National Health Service services between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Lord Darzi of Denham: A natural consequence of devolution has been growing differences between the provision of health services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The responsibilities of National Health Service organisations in each country are defined by statute and protocols are in place to clarify certain operational responsibilities between bodies across boundaries, particularly those along the border between England and Wales.
	Certain aspects of health services are co-ordinated at a United Kingdom level. The General Medical Services contract is a UK-wide contract for services, agreed between NHS employers, on behalf of the department, and the British Medical Association's General Practitioners' Committee. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all party to discussions on any changes to this contract. The department's officials have regular meetings with colleagues in the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Administrations to ensure, as far as possible, consistency of approach in the delivery of primary medical care in the four countries. There will always be some differences to reflect the different circumstances in each country but these tend to be on the margins of the contract.
	For certain highly specialised services which are planned and paid for on a national basis, patients from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are treated in England, with the costs being met by the relevant devolved Administration. Similarly, certain services are provided to English residents by the Scottish Health Service. Officials of the devolved Administrations are routinely invited to join English colleagues in various groups in which services which have cross-border implications are discussed and planned.

Health: National Co-ordination

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that national borders between Scotland and England, and Wales and England, will not restrict the availability of medical services.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The national borders between Scotland, England and Wales do not represent barriers to the provision of healthcare. Patients can receive treatment anywhere that is appropriate.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What reports they have on progress made (a) in the dialogue between the Prime Minister of Israel and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas; and (b) by the Arab League peace initiative.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government support the continued dialogue between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas, which we hope will include meaningful discussions on permanent status issues. Israel has committed to a number of confidence-building measures to the Palestinian Authority. In particular, we welcome the transfer of approximately US$278 million of Palestinian clearance revenues by Israel since July. We continue to call on Israel to release the full amount of arrears. We also welcome Israel's decision to release 255 Palestinian prisoners and their agreement to grant amnesties to 178 Palestinians, mainly from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. Continued dialogue between the parties is the best way forward.
	The Government also support the League of Arab States' Arab peace initiative. We welcome all efforts towards the normalisation of relations between Israel and the Arab world. In particular, we welcome both the meeting on 4 May between the Quartet and members of the Arab League follow-up committee and the meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah Al-Khatib in Sharm el-Sheikh on 10 May. We also welcome the significant follow-up visit to Israel by the Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers on 25 July. We continue, to encourage further progress on the Arab peace initiative between the Arab states and Israel. We value the work of the Arab League in promoting a negotiated two-state solution. The international community has a key role to play in moving forward the peace process.

Israel and Palestine: Tony Blair

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Mr Tony Blair is responsible, in the mandate given him by the Middle East quartet, only for helping to improve the condition of the Palestinians or, in addition, helping to seek a settlement between the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel.

Lord Malloch-Brown: On 27 June the quartet (the US, the UN, the EU and Russia) announced the appointment of the right honourable Tony Blair as the new quartet representative. The announcement sets out Mr Blair's mandate, to:
	mobilise international assistance to the Palestinians, working closely with donors and existing co-ordination bodies;help to identify, and secure appropriate international support in addressing, the institutional governance needs of the Palestinian state, focusing as a matter of urgency on the rule of law;develop plans to promote Palestinian economic development, including private sector partnerships, building on previously agreed frameworks, especially concerning access and movement; andliaise with other countries as appropriate in support of the agreed quartet objectives.

Kenya: Daniel Moi

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have investigated, or will now investigate, any United Kingdom bank accounts in the name of, or controlled by, ex-President Moi of Kenya or his associates.

Lord West of Spithead: The Government can neither confirm nor deny whether investigations are ongoing or whether consideration is to be given in launching an investigation; such would obviously prejudice and may negatively impact upon police operations. The Metropolitan Police are aware of the Kroll risk consultancy report on ex- President Moi and are currently assessing the contents. This case falls to the Metropolitan Police as they have a dedicated proceeds of corruption unit funded by the Department for International Development.

Kosovo

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to the potential challenges that could arise once the Ahtisaari comprehensive proposal for the Kosovo status settlement is implemented.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have worked intensively at the UN, with our partners, to achieve a resolution that would allow for the Ahtisaari proposals to be taken forward. The co-sponsors circulated several drafts and spared no effort to accommodate the concerns and incorporate the proposals of other Security Council members. We regret, however, that, because of the repeated objections of Russia, it has been impossible so far to secure such a resolution in the council. On 20 July, the co-sponsors announced that negotiations in the Security Council would be put on hold and that time-limited discussions would be renewed with the parties under contact group auspices.
	The United Kingdom fully supports the Ahtisaari proposals and believes they should be the base for any further discussions. We hope that these talks will lead to agreement between the parties. If not, we continue to believe that the Ahtisaari plan is the best way forward.
	The Ahtisaari plan will be challenging to implement. I warmly welcome the Kosovo Assembly's commitment to implement the plan in its entirety. It will require real commitment from Kosovo's leadership and support from the wider public to build a new Kosovo along the lines UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari envisages, and so to create a prosperous society in which all communities can live together in peace and security. It will require the Kosovo Serb leadership to recognise the opportunities the settlement presents for their communities and to begin to engage in Kosovo's political life. And it will require a sustained commitment from the international community.
	Planning for that sustained commitment is well advanced. The Ahtisaari settlement provides for a new international civilian and military presence in Kosovo. These will comprise: an international civilian office, responsible for ensuring settlement implementation and headed up by an international civilian representative, double-hatted as the EU special representative; a European Security and Defence Policy mission responsible for policing and rule of law; and an international military presence provided by NATO.
	Two planning teams are currently in Kosovo carrying out the necessary planning and preparation for the deployment of these presences.

Marine Environment

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether under rule 12 of the Home Information Pack (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1667) the public advertisement will contain details that enable readers to identify the location of the proposed marine mineral extraction.

Lord Rooker: I believe that the noble Baroness's Question relates to Statutory Instrument 2007/1067—the Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007.
	I can confirm that the advertisement will enable the reader to identify the location of the proposed marine mineral extraction. It will also provide details of where further information relating to the application can be inspected.

People Trafficking: Children

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the Missing Out study, published earlier this year by ECPAT (UK), concerning child trafficking in three English regions; and what plans they have to accommodate and care for any children who may be discovered in the course of Operation Pentameter 2.

Lord Adonis: The ECPAT report is a significant study into the scope of the issue of child trafficking in the UK. The Government believe that it is important that local authorities, the police, and other agencies responsible for safeguarding children are alert to the issue of child trafficking and able to identify and help children in this situation, and to take action against traffickers. The Government plan to publish good practice guidance on safeguarding children who may have been trafficked. This guidance will help practitioners apply the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG 2006) to the particular needs of children abused in this way. We consulted on a draft of this guidance over the summer and plan to publish the final version later this year. Some child victims of trafficking may need to be looked after by local authorities as part of work to safeguard them and promote their welfare. Local authorities and their partners will consider the needs of any child victims of trafficking discovered in the course of Operation Pentameter.

Prisoners: Internet Access

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements are in place for persons serving custodial sentences to have access to (a) the internet, and (b) e-mail facilities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Some prisoners have supervised restricted access to the internet following a full risk assessment. Access is mainly for education purposes. Prisoners do not have access to e-mail.

Prisons: Dartmoor

Lord Teverson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, due to the pressure on prison places, they intend to refurbish and reopen C wing of Dartmoor Prison with its 125 vacant units; and, if so, within what time scale.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The accommodation on C wing at HMP Dartmoor was permanently removed from use in 2002 as it was no longer fit for purpose. This was due to weather penetration, lack of integral sanitation and inadequate security standards.
	The potential for the refurbishment of C wing is kept under review as part of the wider building programme, but there are no plans at present to reopen the wing.

Railways: Metronet

Baroness Hamwee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice they gave to Transport for London before the public/private partnership administration relating to Metronet as to whether the financial arrangements made would amount to state aid within European Commission rules; and what progress has been made in obtaining state aid clearance.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Throughout discussions with Transport for London (TfL), the Government have been mindful of their responsibilities in relation to state aid. Matters of state aid are the subject of ongoing discussions between senior TfL and Department for Transport officials and our respective legal advisors.
	We are now in the process of preparing a state aid notification to the Commission in relation to the funding of the Metronet companies in administration.

Railways: South West Trains

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 26 July (WA 123), what conclusions they have drawn concerning (a) the beneficial, and (b) the adverse consequences of the decision by South West Trains to operate hourly services from London Waterloo to Exeter for (i) rail travellers, and (ii) the south-western regional economy.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: An hourly service will improve links between places on the Salisbury to Exeter route with London and the south-east and the rest of the country. This will improve access to businesses and tourist attractions, improve connections with other services and give passengers more journey opportunities.
	Adverse consequences are expected to be minimal. They could arise as a result of revising the times of trains, which could inconvenience a small number of people, and the possible need for South West Trains to reallocate rolling stock to this route from other routes.

Regulators

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Jones of Birmingham on 11 August (HL4976), whether the recommendation of the Better Regulation Task Force that "Government should allow all independent regulators sufficient flexibility to ensure that they are able to appoint staff they require for the regulator to operate efficiently" has been applied to staff of the traffic commissioners.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: For some years, traffic commissioners have delegated authority for processing applications to staff provided by the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA). This activity was recently centralised in Leeds to, among other things, deliver efficiency savings. Traffic commissioners are content with the level of service being provided to them during this period of major change.
	In addition, the consultation document, Strengthening Local Delivery: Modernising the traffic commissioner system, published on 26 July, seeks views on reforming the way the traffic commissioners fulfil their statutory obligations. The proposals include establishing a new board of the traffic commissioners, who would be responsible for ensuring that both goods vehicle and bus sectors get the attention and resource they deserve. The proposals would also strengthen accountability for the performance of VOSA support staff.

Roads: A47 Dyke Relocation

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What in-depth consultations Atkins, as consultants to the Highways Agency, has had with environmental stakeholders about the proposal to investigate a trial site for dyke relocation alongside the A47 Acle Straight.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Atkins has not yet undertaken any in-depth consultations with environmental stakeholders about a trial site for dyke relocation. However, as part of their dyke relocation feasibility study, Atkins met the key environmental stakeholders earlier this year to present and discuss findings of a literature review and discuss local constraints. The Highways Agency is currently considering whether a trial would be practical. In-depth consultations would be carried out with all environmental stakeholders before any decision was made to proceed with a trial.

Sierra Leone: Elections

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Sierra Leone on (a) the security, and (b) the risk of intimidation of voters, during the presidential elections to be held in Sierra Leone in August.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK has made and continues to make representations to the Government of Sierra Leone on political intolerance and violence. Our High Commissioner in Freetown is currently making representations to political party leaders in Sierra Leone. High Commission officials regularly brief regional political party representatives on the need to avoid violence and to control party supporters during rallies. The UK is also working with the Sierra Leone police on managing the security surrounding the elections.
	Successive visiting Ministers, including my right honourable friend the former Deputy Prime Minister (Mr John Prescott) and the former Prime Minister (the right honourable Tony Blair), have underscored the need for free and fair elections.
	The UK raised issues and concerns surrounding the elections at the Peacebuilding Commission's meeting on 25 July. The UN, the Government of Sierra Leone, the UK, China, the European Commission, the World Bank, UN Development Programme missions and non-governmental organisations attended this video-conference.

Sierra Leone: Elections

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Sierra Leone on the risks posed to the security and stability of that country in the event of any disputed result in the presidential elections to be held in August.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK has made and continues to make representations to the Government of Sierra Leone on political intolerance and violence. Our high commissioner in Freetown is currently making representations to political party leaders in Sierra Leone. High commission officials regularly brief regional political party representatives on the need to avoid violence and to control party supporters during rallies. The UK is also working with the Sierra Leone police on managing the security surrounding the elections.
	Successive visiting Ministers, including my right honourable friend the former Deputy Prime Minister (Mr John Prescott) and the former Prime Minister (the right honourable Tony Blair), have underscored the need for free and fair elections.
	The UK raised issues and concerns surrounding the elections at the Peacebuilding Commission's meeting on 25 July. The UN, the Government of Sierra Leone, the UK, China, the European Commission, the World Bank, UN Development Programme missions and non-governmental organisations attended this video-conference.

Sierra Leone: Elections

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What role the International Military Advisory and Training Team (Sierra Leone), IMATT(SL), will have in the upcoming presidential elections in Sierra Leone; whether they have received any requests to deploy the British contingent of IMATT(SL) during the presidential elections to be held in August; and whether they will deploy the British contingent to polling stations to assist in ensuring free and fair elections in August.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT) in Sierra Leone will not be deploying additional personnel for the elections in Sierra Leone, nor has it received any requests to do so. IMATT will not be present at polling stations and neither will the Republic of Sierra Leone armed forces. The Sierra Leone police (SLP) will have primacy.
	The UK has been providing support to the Sierra Leone Police since June 2006, through the services of the Metropolitan Police and Centrex, to ensure that the SLP are able to contribute to delivering free and fair elections. This includes training in crowd control techniques and dealing with disturbances. The Metropolitan Police are also donating some close protection clothing (body armour) to the SLP.
	The UK has also provided eight police to work with the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone. These eight personnel have been allocated as two-person teams to each of the four regions of Sierra Leone. Their main role is to provide the regional police chiefs with training in community based policing ahead of the elections.
	The UK is supporting monitoring of polling stations through non-military personnel. The UK is funding the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to work in partnership with a Sierra Leonean organisation, National Election Watch (NEW). NDI aims to share its experience in election monitoring to increase the capacity of NEW to monitor the election effectively. This will include using sampling techniques during the elections to monitor if the elections are free and fair. Additionally, NDI will provide up to 40 observers and NEW aim to provide between 5,000 and 6,000—at least two observers for each of the 2,740 polling stations.
	The UK also helped to lobby for the EU Election Observation Mission and will be contributing two short-term observers and one long-term observer to the mission.

Sierra Leone: Elections

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What role the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone will have in the presidential election to be held in August.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), which co-ordinates all UN activities in Sierra Leone, is co-ordinating and funding a total of 57 volunteers. These are distributed as follows: 19 technical experts (16 funded by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) basket fund, two by the Department for International Development and one by UNIOSIL); and 38 UN volunteers (22 funded by the UNDP basket fund and 16 by UNIOSIL). Of the 38 UN volunteers, 28 will be attached to the districts, four will work on administration/procurement, two will be field co-ordinators with UNIOSIL, two will work for the National Electoral Commission on data, one will work on logistics and there will be one graphic designer.
	The UK has provided eight police from the Ministry of Defence to work with UNIOSIL. These eight personnel have been allocated as two-person teams to each of the four regions of Sierra Leone. Their main role is to provide the regional police chiefs with training in community-based policing ahead of the elections.
	The UNDP has set up a basket fund to provide financing for the elections. The fund supports the provision of electoral goods and services as well as the personnel detailed above. The fund is currently valued at approximately £11 million.
	The UN Peacebuilding Fund has also allocated £815,000 for the elections, which was approved by the steering committee in Freetown. This money will cover payment of essential temporary electoral staff for polling and additional poll preparation costs.

Skills: East of England

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much, on a per head of population basis, each county in the east of England region received from central government for skills in the last financial year.

Lord Triesman: The annual publication Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) presents analyses of functional public expenditure by country and region, on a per head of population basis, but does not further disaggregate to county level. This further level of detail could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The 2006-07 figures have been published in PESA 2007 (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/6/D/pesa07_chapter9.pdf) and are based on departmental estimated outturn and local authority budget data.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide details of known violations of United Nations Resolution 1591 prohibiting offensive military flights in and over the Darfur region since its implementation on 29 March 2005; and what representations they have made to the government of Sudan to end such flights.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Panel of Experts' reports of 30 January 2006, 19 April 2006 and 2 October 2006 provide details of violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591, including continued military flights. In addition, the African Union (AU) Darfur Ceasefire Commission is responsible for monitoring all provisions related to the suspension of aggressive acts as stipulated in the Darfur peace agreement. It has reported a number of offensive military flights, but we are pressing it to increase its monitoring capacity and for the commission to meet regularly.
	My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development made it clear to members of the Sudanese Government, when he visited Sudan on 18 to 19 July, that violations must cease. He also stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, rapid deployment of the AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force and progress on the political road map agreed in Tripoli on 15 to 16 July. Our ambassador in Khartoum regularly makes it clear to the Sudanese Government that the UK expects them to abide by their agreements and UN Security Council resolutions. We also make regular representations through the UN Security Council's sanctions committee to Sudan.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they intend to take to follow up the second international meeting on Darfur, held in July, in order to assist the international community as it begins to pursue the pre-negotiation stage of the United Nations roadmap for Darfur.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Our immediate focus is to support the African Union-UN meeting in Arusha on 3-5 August. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made a joint statement with the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr Bernard Kouchner, on 27 July, re-emphasising support for the AU-UN-led political process and calling on all invitees to attend the meeting in Arusha. They declared that non-attendance would signal an unwillingness to resolve the suffering in Darfur and would impede the political process. Further support for the AU-UN efforts will depend on the outcome of the Arusha meeting.

Terrorism: 21 July Bombers

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost of imprisonment of Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussein Osman for one year.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Prison Service does not calculate the cost of imprisonment for individual prisoners. It does calculate the total cost per prisoner place and cost per prisoner for each establishment. However, it is Prison Service policy not to comment on the location of individual prisoners and therefore the information cannot be provided.

Terrorism: 21 July Bombers

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost of the payment of social security benefits to the families of Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussein Osman for one year.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Information on individuals and their dealings with DWP is confidential.

Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether sufficient facilities are provided throughout the United Kingdom where long distance lorry drivers can park their vehicles in safety, with appropriate rest amenities and adequate refreshment facilities; and
	Whether they have assessed the impact of recent closures of rest facilites for long-distance lorry drivers; and whether they have held consultations with lorry driver associations about this matter.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government recognise the importance of freight to the UK economy and the need for parking and resting facilities for lorry drivers.
	The delivery of these facilities, since 1992, has primarily been through the private sector together with local planning authorities who can identify suitable land. The Department for Transport has been facilitating meetings between representatives of the road haulage trade associations, the Highways Agency, the Motorway Service Area and other lorry parking providers in order to identify both the issues that have led to reduction and the issues that can promote an increase together with improvement in these facilities.
	The Department for Transport and the Highways Agency are considering undertaking a national study into lorry parking with the objective of finding out the current and future demand for these facilities. This could better inform the local planning authorities on the need for these facilities and the potential providers of these facilities with their investment decisions.
	The Highways Agency has published a guide to truckstops in England and has recently carried out a consultation with the aim of developing policies that maintain and improve the provision of service areas and other facilities on motorways and all purpose trunk roads in England, including those for lorry drivers.

Transport: Moorsbus Network

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evaluation they have made of the Moorsbus Network in the North York Moors National Park and of the savings that the network has made in private car miles and in carbon dioxide released; and what plans they have for long-term sustained financial support for more environmentally friendly access to national parks.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government evaluated the Moorsbus Network as part of a study examining best practice in the development of integrated transport in the National Parks of England and Wales. This led to a detailed good practice guide. Annual surveys of passengers have shown that in 2003 those who had access to a car but chose to use Moorsbus have saved the environment over 1 million miles of car journeys to and from the national park. There are no known studies on the savings made in carbon dioxide emissions specific to the Moorsbus service.
	Financial support for transport access to national parks comes largely from the relevant local transport authorities who in most cases receive some support from the department such as the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG).
	The Department for Transport is reviewing all of its long-term spending plans as required of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 due later this year.

Zimbabwe: Finance

Lord Joffe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they have taken to ensure that loans to agencies of the Government of Zimbabwe and the purchase of Zimbabwean treasury bills and government bonds by British banks do not breach the European Union common position prohibition on making funds and economic resources available to individuals closely associated with the Government of Zimbabwe.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The EU targeted measures on Zimbabwe impose, inter alia, an assets freeze on individual members of the Government of Zimbabwe, including President Mugabe, which includes a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to them. The Bank of England, acting as an agent for HM Treasury, is responsible for making banks in the UK fully aware of this.
	Where there is information to suggest that a breach of the EU targeted measures has occurred or of a connection between a designated person and a company operating in the UK, HM Treasury, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Bank of England work closely together to investigate the matter.

Zimbabwe: Political Dialogue

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the progress made by President Mbeki of South Africa with regard to the mandate to facilitate dialogue between the Opposition and Government of Zimbabwe.

Lord Malloch-Brown: President Mbeki presented a report on his mediation efforts to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit held in Lusaka on 16 and 17 August. The SADC communiqué issued at the end of that summit noted that negotiations were progressing smoothly. We welcome the efforts made by President Mbeki and the SADC to facilitate dialogue between ZANU(PF) and the opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change and we continue to offer those efforts our full support.

Zimbabwe: Visa Ban List

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Minister of Trade, Mr Ian McCartney, on 26 March (HC Deb, col. 1164) that the Government expect there to be progress on the addition of extra names to the European Union visa ban list, what steps they are taking to encourage the European Union to strengthen its targeted resources against leading figures in Zimbabwe.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The EU common position, which consists of a travel ban, an assets freeze list and an arms embargo, was extended for another year on 19 February 2007. At that time the list comprised 125 names. Five names were added on 16 April following a Zimbabwe Government Cabinet reshuffle in late February. As a consequence of the serious incidents of state-sponsored violence on 11 March and the subsequent abuse of human rights of those detained, the EU agreed on 25 June to add two further names to the EU visa ban list. Both of those were responsible for directing that abuse. We continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe closely and seek to identify those responsible for human rights violations and to consider proposing additions to the EU list as appropriate.
	Answers received between Monday 17 September and Friday 21 September 2007

Afghanistan: Opium Production

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they are doing to mitigate the problem of opium production in Afghanistan; and how their efforts differ from the policy of the Government of the United States.

Lord Malloch-Brown: As Afghanistan's G8 "partner" nation on counter narcotics, the UK is helping the Afghan Government to improve the implementation of their national drug control strategy, spending £290 million over three years on counter narcotics and rule of law measures. On 9 August, I announced a new package of counter narcotics activities, designed to help accelerate the implementation of the Afghan Government's narcotics strategy in the north and centre of the country, while responding to the situation in Helmand and the south. It includes: enhanced interdiction; a greater focus on military support to counter narcotics; more support for counter narcotics criminal justice; improving the performance of eradication forces; expanding the Good Performers Initiative; and an extensive Afghan Government information campaign designed to convince farmers not to plant poppy.
	We work very closely with the US on Afghan counter narcotics issues. In parallel to our new package of activities, the US announced plans to spend US$500 million on a comprehensive package to support the Afghan Government's efforts. And approaches to eradication and other matters are under constant review and discussion between the two Governments. However, the UK and the US both fully support the Afghan strategy and agree that it is the Afghan Government who should lead on counter narcotics policy.

Africa: Peacekeeping Brigade

Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of (a) the proposal of the countries of the Southern African Development Community to create a peacekeeping brigade; and (b) the proposed functions of the brigade.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We warmly welcomed the launch of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) regional standby brigade at the SADC Summit in Lusaka on 17 August. This was a strong public commitment by SADC member states to fulfil the region's contribution to the African Union's (AU) African Standby Force (ASF). The SADC brigade will be one of five regional forces that will collectively form the ASF. The ASF is a key element of the AU's approach to developing African capacity to prevent and manage African conflicts. The UK strongly supports the development of the ASF both politically and practically. We are providing significant technical and training assistance.
	The ASF is intended to be fully operational by 2010 to undertake a range of peacekeeping roles in Africa, from observation missions to intervention in extreme circumstances such as genocide. The ASF will provide a permanent, structured approach, building on the AU's current peacekeeping operations, such as in Darfur and Somalia.

Agriculture: Defra Leaflets

Lord Bradley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which government bodies and non-governmental bodies are issuing Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leaflets, Do you know what's happening in your feed store? and, Bovine TB: Do you know how to reduce your risk?; and how many farmers have received each of these leaflets since their publication.

Lord Rooker: Since publication earlier this year, these leaflets have been made available free of charge via those organisations involved in drawing up the advice—the National Farmers' Union, the British Cattle Veterinary Association, the Soil Association, the Wildlife Trusts, the Central Science Laboratory, Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government. The leaflets were also made available at Defra's "Give Disease the Boot" roadshows at livestock markets around England in the spring and are available to download from Defra's website.
	It is not possible accurately to identify how many farmers have received the leaflets. However, we do know that, as of 31 July 2007, over 3,700 copies of Do you know what's happening in your feed store? and over 1,950 copies of Bovine TB: Do you know how to reduce your risk? have been distributed, largely via the organisations listed above.

Bees

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether funding will be available for the development of sustainable approaches for the control of non-statutory bee pests, such as varroa mite; and
	Whether the budget for bee health extends further than statutory pest and disease threats to honey bees.

Lord Rooker: Funding across Defra and the devolved administrations on bee health in 2007-08 is around £1.9 million, including £200,000 for research and development. This overall funding includes work to develop sustainable approaches for controlling both statutory and non-statutory pests. This year research projects include work on the taxonomy of UK and exotic honey bee viruses, further details of which can be found on the science pages of the Defra website.
	Government investment in research on varroa exceeds £2.2 million over the past 12 years. It is proven that the best way of tackling varroa is by means of a careful programme of integrated pest management, and beekeepers need to learn to control it to protect their bee colonies. The National Bee Unit assists beekeepers in improved bee husbandry, and has produced a comprehensive advisory leaflet on the subject.
	The priorities for future funding will be determined in the context of developing a bee health strategy in liaison with stakeholders.

Bees

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the control of non-statutory pests, such as varroa, will be included in the new bee health strategy currently under development; and, if so, whether additional funding will be available for this research.

Lord Rooker: Defra is currently working to develop a strategy for bee health to clarify the extent of Government involvement in the bee health area and the role of external stakeholders and future funding arrangements. The strategy, including the scope of any further research work, will be developed with representatives of industry and subject to a detailed consultation procedure. Defra funding for bee health in future years is not yet decided and is subject to the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Bees

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether United Kingdom bee researchers, under the new bee health strategy, will be able to make applications in open competition for research funding.

Lord Rooker: Defra commissions bee health research at a number of organisations depending on the nature of the research priorities, the expertise of the relevant organisations and their track record of delivery. Open competition will be used when appropriate.

Bracken

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total hectarage of bracken cover in England, Wales and Scotland; and how this compares with the total for 1997 and 1987.

Lord Rooker: Using results from the national Countryside Survey, the table below shows an estimate of bracken cover in England and Wales, and Scotland, for 1990 and 1998. Separate estimates are not available for Wales. The changes between estimates for 1990 and 1998 were not statistically significant. Updated estimates will be provided by the Countryside Survey 2007, which is currently in progress and is due to report next year.
	
		
			 Geographical Area 1998 1990 
			 England and Wales 273,000 ha 253,000 ha 
			 Scotland 166,000 ha 162,000 ha

Chagos Islands

Lord Steel of Aikwood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total cost, from 2000 to date, of their legal actions concerning the right of the Chagos people to return, including the anticipated cost of the most recent appeal to the House of Lords.

Lord Malloch-Brown: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given in another place by my right honourable friend the then Minister for Europe, Mr Douglas Alexander, to the honourable Member for St Ives, Andrew George, on 1 December 2005—Official Report, cols. 733-734W—which lists the sums the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has paid in respect of legal fees, principally to the Treasury Solicitor's Department and outside counsel, incurred in defending these cases. The amount for the 2006-07 case has been updated since that Answer was given—R (Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 2006-07; £716, 000 including VAT, Secretary of State's legal fees.
	We are still awaiting news on whether the House of Lords will grant my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary's request for leave to appeal the Court. of Appeal's May 2007 ruling. It would not therefore be appropriate to comment on the legal costs of any appeal.

Children

Baroness Corston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated total number of children who would have been in poverty in the United Kingdom, according to the European Union standard of less than 60 per cent of the median household income, in 2006, if the level of child benefit had been raised, in relation to its 1997 level, (a) by 25 per cent, and (b) by 33 per cent more than the rise equivalent to the rise in earnings; and what would have been the cost (i) in £ billion, and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product, including and not including estimated savings accruing from consequential reduced costs in other family and child allowances.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s, relative child poverty more than doubled. This Government have committed to halve child poverty by 2010-11 and to eradicate it by 2020. In 2005-06, there were 600,000 fewer children in relative poverty than in 1997-98. First rate child benefit has increased by 25 per cent in real terms since 1997, and the Government are committed to increasing it to £20 by 2010.
	Trying to model changes to the rate of child benefit on the level of children in poverty will always involve considerable uncertainty and is sensitive to factors such as the precise definition of household income, income equivalisation scales and other modelling choices. However, estimates of the impact of increasing the level of child benefit, in relation to its 1997 level, (a) by 25 per cent, and (b) by 33 per cent more than the rise equivalent to the rise in earnings are set out in the table below, together with the costs of these measures (in £ billion and as a percentage of GDP).
	
		
			 Cost of increasing child benefit 
			   Earnings +25 per cent Earnings +33 per cent 
			 Gross Cost (change in child benefit) £billion £0.84bn £1.16bn 
			  percentage of GDP 0.1 0.1 
			 Net Cost (after taking into account changes in income-related benefits) £billion £0.84bn £1.16bn 
			  percentage of GDP 0.1 per cent 0.1 
			 Reduction in number of children in poverty (i.e. in households with net income below 60 per cent of median income)  150,000 200,000 
		
	
	The increase in child benefit between 1997-98 and 2006-07 was derived using the Average Earnings Index (AEI), and increasing the AEI each year by either 25 per cent or 33 per cent.
	Estimates were derived using the 2004-05 Family Resources Survey and are on a before housing costs basis, using OECD equivalisation factors.

Climate Change: Peat Bogs

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have prepared for the rehabilitation of peat bogs in the United Kingdom, as part of their strategy to combat global warming; and what priority they are giving to the implementation of such plans.

Lord Rooker: Peat bogs are a significant store of carbon which needs to be protected. We are looking at rehabilitating peat bogs as one possible way of protecting existing carbon stores and biodiversity. However, this is technically challenging due to the presence of naturally occurring underground water channels which develop in response to artificial drainage. These would continue to have a drying effect, even if surface drains were blocked to rehabilitate bogs.
	In terms of offsetting carbon emissions through increasing this store, the potential is somewhat limited due to the slow accumulation rates of active bogs. In addition, some healthy peat bogs can be a significant source of methane. It is important to see the potential contribution of peat bog restoration in proportion to many other ways we are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
	We are now developing a programme of work to co-ordinate peat protection activities across government. We are also undertaking research to improve our understanding of the main mechanisms by which carbon is lost from peats; the impacts of land use and land management; and to develop practical methods for mitigating losses. This will form a key part of the forthcoming soil strategy for England. In addition, the current review of environmental stewardship will examine how the scheme can further help to address climate change, including halting the decline of upland carbon stores.

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much expenditure has been incurred through the use of external consultants since April 2006 in respect of the establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights; and whether the budget for transition in the current year will be overspent.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: By 30 June 2007, £2.6 million had been spent since April 2006 on external consultants in respect of the establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. Consultancy expertise has chiefly been used to support organisational design, legal services, senior team recruitment, estates, information technology development and website content and design.
	The Commission for Equality and Human Rights is expected to remain within its budget for transition in the current year.

Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cause of the delay in their response of 18 July to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's report of 29 March on the Rural Payments Agency and the implementation of the single payment scheme.

Lord Rooker: I apologise for the delay in replying to the report. As the issues raised went wider than departmental responsibilities, and involved individuals no longer in the department, it was necessary to consult more widely before finalising our response.

Dogs

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prosecutions there have been each year in Northern Ireland under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 does not apply to Northern Ireland. The relevant order is the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 as amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
	Primary responsibility for prosecutions under the dogs order falls to district councils. I have no information regarding the number of prosecutions brought by district councils. Very occasionally, the PPS will prosecute offences under the order. Information is only available for the period January 2002 to September 2007 and is set out below:
	2002: one summary prosecution for "urging a dog to attack a person" contrary to Article 28 of the order;
	2003: one summary prosecution for "urging a dog to attack a person" contrary to Article 28 of the order;
	2006: one summary prosecution for "urging a dog to attack a person" contrary to Article 28 of the order;
	five summary prosecutions for "keeping an unregistered breeding establishment" contrary to Article 12 of the order.

Equality

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which government department is leading on equality legislation; and what plans it has for the location of responsibility for overseeing the work of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The lead role on equality is transferring to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), where a new Equalities Office will be set up. The Government Equalities Office will be physically located with and supported by staff in the Department for Work and Pensions. It will have its own vote from the House of Commons. Harriet Harman will be responsible for the Equalities Office at Cabinet level as Secretary of State for Equality. Barbara Follett, in addition to her current role, will be Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Equalities Office, with the title Minister for Equality. The Permanent Secretary at the DWP, Sir Leigh Lewis, will become the accounting officer for the new Equalities Office.
	The DWP will take on responsibility for the Government's overall strategy and priorities on equality issues, including sponsorship of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. Because of the links to the community cohesion agenda, race and faith issues remain located with the rest of the community agenda in the DCLG.
	For convenience, I attach below a copy of the Prime Minister's Written Ministerial Statement dated 26 July 2007 regarding the machinery of government changes detailing the establishment of the new Government Equalities Office.
	"To strengthen further the Government's ability to deliver across the entire equalities agenda, I am today announcing the establishment of a new Government Equalities Office."The Government Equalities Office will be physically located with and supported by staff in the Department for Work and Pensions. It will have its own vote from the House of Commons. The Women and Equalities Unit, currently based in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), will transfer to the new office."Because of the links to the community cohesion agenda, race and faith issues remain located with the rest of the community agenda in DCLG."My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons will be responsible for the Equalities Office at Cabinet level as Secretary of State for Equality. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), my hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Barbara Follett), in addition to her current role, will be Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Equalities Office, with the title Minister for Equality. The Permanent Secretary at DWP, Sir Leigh Lewis, will become the Accounting Officer for the new Equalities Office."As now, there will continue to be lead Secretaries of State and Ministers for individual policy areas:"My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons is the lead Cabinet Minister for women and is supported in this role by the Women and Equality Unit;"My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is the lead Cabinet Minister for disability issues, supported by the Minister for disabled people, my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling (Mrs. McGuire) and the Office for Disability Issues in his department;"My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is the lead Cabinet Minister for race and faith issues. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will also play an important role in advising the Government on issues of concern to faith communities."My right hon. and noble Friend the Leader of the Lords will cover the equalities agenda in the House of Lords."The Sub-Committee on Communities and Equalities, a sub-committee of the Domestic Affairs Committee, will bring together Ministers from across government to discuss key policies on equalities. This sub-committee is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office".

Equality

Lord De Mauley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of their statement in A Framework for Fairness that there would be a need to exclude specific activities from any future Single Equality Bill, what plans they have so far made to allow (a) age-based concessions, whether in the private or public sector; (b) insurance companies to design and provide products for specific market segments (for example, younger or older drivers); and (c) age limits on group holidays.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: While making clear that no decision has yet been taken on whether legislation is the most appropriate way to tackle age-harmful discrimination, A Framework for Fairness states that a number of exceptions would be necessary to ensure that justifiable or beneficial age-targeted activities and practices would not be impeded by any legislation to outlaw age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services. The responses to the Green Paper, which is currently out for public consultation, will inform the Government's decisions on whether to legislate in this area as part of the proposed Single Equality Bill and what exceptions would be necessary should we decide to do so.

Equality

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the Disability Rights Commission's reaction to the Single Equality Act Green Paper; and whether they will take steps to ensure that the existing legal requirement on public bodies to produce disability equality schemes is not removed or weakened.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The consultation paper A Framework for Fairness: Proposals for a Single Equality Bill for Great Britain was published on 12 June. It is aimed at simplifying discrimination law, making it more effective and ensuring that it is fit for modern 21st-century Britain. The Government are actively seeking views on how to achieve a Single Equality Bill which delivers these aims. The consultation period closes on 4 September.
	The consultation paper contains a number of proposals aimed at simplifying, clarifying and strengthening the law protecting disabled people from discrimination. The Disability Rights Commission had expressed concern, in its initial reactions, that the proposals in the consultation paper fail to remedy deficiencies in existing antidiscrimination law. In particular, the commission has been critical of the proposals for the structure of public sector equality duties and the enforcement of discrimination law, but has welcomed as positive steps the proposals to simplify the disability discrimination provisions, to require landlords to make reasonable adjustments to the common parts of let residential premises and to extend the scope of positive action provisions. The Government look forward to receiving the Commission's formal comments in due course.
	The proposals for a single public sector equality duty aim to ensure that public authorities focus action on achieving real improvements for people who experience discrimination and disadvantage. The Government welcome views on the proposals, including whether the requirement to produce equality schemes should be retained, and these will be considered carefully before final decisions are made.

Equality

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will reintroduce a satisfaction index concerning forms of discrimination; and whether they will encourage the Commission for Human Rights and Equality to prioritise an inquiry into discrimination, especially as it concerns gender inequalities.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: There are no plans to introduce a satisfaction index concerning forms of discrimination, nor specifically to encourage the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to prioritise an inquiry into discrimination especially as it concerns gender inequalities.
	Under the Equality Act 2006, the CEHR is required as part of its duties to promote an understanding of the importance of equality and diversity and work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination. The CEHR board includes an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) transition commissioner to ensure continuity in respect of work relating to gender equality.

EU: Wine Lake

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the plans announced by European Union Commissioner Fischer Boel on 4 July to dig up sufficient vineyards in the European Union to reduce the excess wine lake by 10 per cent.

Lord Rooker: The Government welcome the Commission's proposals to reform the EU wine regime, which include a number of measures aimed at reducing the gap between supply and consumption in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. The proposed grubbing-up scheme will provide for up to 200,000 hectares of vines to be grubbed-up, thereby reducing EU wine production by around 7.5 million hl over five years. The purpose of the scheme is to ease the transition to a more market-oriented sector by allowing producers to leave the industry following the immediate removal of market intervention measures, such as distillation, that are currently supporting uncompetitive production.

Fire and Rescue Service: Firebuy

Lord Brookman: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in supporting the decision of Firebuy Limited to award the 15-year contract to a single preferred bidder supplying personal protective equipment for the Fire and Rescue Service, sufficient account has been taken of its possible effect on further competitive bidding in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Andrews: The potential impact on the market of the integrated clothing project (ICP) was considered by London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the contracting authority that initiated the ICP procurement process and the conclusion reached was that any potential impact was negligible.
	Throughout the ICP process, the contracting authority (now Firebuy Limited) has in any event sought to ensure there are mechanisms in place to minimise any potential impact, as well as to achieve best value for fire and rescue authorities. These include: a technological refresh at the contract mid-point; benchmarking; market testing; and promotion of effective supply chain management.

Fire and Rescue Service: Firebuy

Lord Brookman: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the stage 3 review of the integrated clothing project (ICP) by 4ps (Public Private Partnerships Programme) gateway review team undertaken over 18 to 20 June will be made public by Firebuy Limited, in order to allow at least a single month's opportunity for wider industry and public comment ahead of any conclusive decisions being taken to award a 15-year ICP contract to a single supplier.

Baroness Andrews: The stage 3 gateway review, which looked at the investment decision before the contract was placed with the supplier, was received by Firebuy Limited on 9 August. Once it has been considered and approved by the Firebuy Limited board later this month, it is Firebuy's intention to make the gateway review report available.
	Firebuy Limited is not obliged, and does not intend, to provide for a period of consultation following publication of the gateway review report. Opportunity for comment has been available throughout the tender process. Firebuy's key objective is to reach contract close as soon as possible, in early October 2007, in order to meet the needs of fire and rescue authorities, particularly those with pressing needs, in order that they may fulfil their statutory duties including those arising under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Firearms: Northern Ireland

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons who have fulfilled the suitability requirements of Article 2 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 are current or former members of the Irish Republican Army, Sinn Fein or a terrorist organisation.

Lord Rooker: The Chief Constable has informed me that records are not held in a way that would allow information to be readily collated against the types of categorisation requested. This would require a manual trawl of records which could only be conducted at disproportionate cost. The Chief Constable will not issue a firearm certificate to anyone unless he is satisfied that the person is fit to be entrusted with a firearm.

Food: Child Labour

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the findings of the United Nations Internal Labour Organisation's report Combating child labour in cocoa growing that an estimated 12,000 children have been trafficked into slavery on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast; and what action they are taking within the international community to combat this.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government remain concerned by reports of child labour at cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast and the issue of trafficking.
	We are supporting international efforts to address the problem of child labour around the world through the work of the international Labour Organisation (ILO). The UK is a signatory to ILO Convention 182 which focuses on eliminating the worst forms of child labour. In addition, we are a signatory of ILO Convention 138, which seeks to raise the minimum age from which children are allowed to work. The Ivory Coast is also a signatory to both of these conventions and we have therefore made direct representations to the Ivorian Government concerning child labour on cocoa farms in the country, most recently in June 2007. Through a Department for International Development-ILO partnership agreement worth £15 million, £1.9million has been allocated to the ILO International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour.
	The UK is a supporter of the International Cocoa Initiative, which works with the support of the chocolate manufacturers to address concerns about the worst forms of child labour in cocoa production. The initiative is focusing on surveying working practices in Ghana and the Ivory Coast and is working closely with the respective Governments. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office hosted a meeting of the Cocoa Task Force on 22 February, where a progress report on the initiative's work was given.
	Addressing the global problem of child trafficking is also a priority for the Government. As a result, the UK is a signatory to the relevant international protocols including the Council of Europe Convention, and we are working with the EU and others to help bring an end to trafficking in all its forms.

Health: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they made prior to 8 May to establish a Northern Ireland Health Authority; what appointments were made; and whether the necessary legislation was in place to enable this process.

Lord Rooker: In accordance with the decisions taken by the Government in relation to the Review of Public Administration and announced in November 2005 and March 2006, the Minister responsible for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety decided that the department should fulfil some of its responsibilities by appointing a senior management team who would, subject to approval of the necessary legislation, later become officers of the proposed Health and Social Services Authority. These appointments took place under the normal regulations for all appointments to the NICS and in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioners' recruitment code.
	The following appointments were made prior to 8 May:
	Chief Executive—designate;
	Director of Finance and Corporate Services—designate;
	Director of Area Commissioning, Belfast and East LCGs—designate;
	Director of Area Commissioning, North-East and Inner-East LCGs—designate;
	Director of Area Commissioning, North-West, West and South LCGs—designate;
	Director of Strategic Planning and Regional Commissioning—designate;
	Director of Human Resource and Workforce Planning—designate;
	Acting Director of Social Care and Children's Services—designate.

Health: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they made prior to 8 May to appoint a chief executive designate and directors designate to a Northern Ireland Health Authority; what duties they have been authorised to carry out; who provided that authorisation; and what salaries and expenses were paid.

Lord Rooker: The chief executive (designate) of the proposed Health and Social Services Authority was appointed on 7 August 2006 as a substantive member of the NICS Senior Civil Service. This appointment took place under the normal regulations for all appointments to the NICS and in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioners' recruitment code.
	The directors (designate) were appointed to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on secondment from their current employers. Provision for such secondments to the NICS is included in the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioners' recruitment code.
	Both the chief executive (designate) and the directors (designate) are responsible for carrying out a wide range of departmental functions, as authorised by the Department under the direction of the Minister.
	The chief executive (designate) has been paid £116,666.67 in respect of salary and £20,255.96 in respect of expenses, including relocation, for the period 7 August 2006 to 7 May 2007 inclusive.
	Terms and conditions for the directors (designate) had yet to be finalised by 7 May 2007.

Health: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they made prior to 8 May for the chief executive designate and directors designate of a proposed Northern Ireland Health Authority to make further appointments; who authorised such developments prior to enabling legislation being in place; and what salaries and expenses are involved in such appointments.

Lord Rooker: Other than the chief executive (designate) and a number of directors (designate), no further appointments were made prior to 8 May.

Health: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When each appointee designate of the proposed Northern Ireland Health Authority commenced duties; what is the annual salary for each appointment; what has been the total amount of salaries and expenses (a) up to 8 May, and (b) since 8 May; and from which department these costs are met.

Lord Rooker: Details of the start date for each appointee are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Chief Executive—designate 7 Aug 2006 
			 Director of Finance and Corporate Services—designate 16 Jan 2007 
			 Director of Area Commissioning, Belfast and East LCGs—designate 1 Apr 2007 
			 Director of Area Commissioning, North-East and Inner-East LCGs—designate 1 Apr 2007 
			 Director of Area Commissioning, North-West, West and South LCGs—designate 1 Apr 2007 
			 Director of Strategic Planning and Regional Commissioning—designate 1 Apr 2007 
			 Director of Human Resource and Workforce Planning—designate 1 Apr 2007 
			 Acting Director of Social Care and Children's Services—designate 30 Apr 2007 
		
	
	The chief executive's (designate) annual salary falls within the salary band £150,000 to £155,000 which is met by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The chief executive (designate) has been paid £116,666.67 in respect of salary and £20,255.96 in respect of expenses, including relocation, for the period 7 August 2006 to 7 May 2007 inclusive.
	Terms and conditions for the directors (designate) had yet to be finalised by 7 May 2007.

Infrastructure Projects

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How and by what criteria specialists in community engagement will be selected for the proposed national planning commission designed to fast-track large infrastructure projects.

Baroness Andrews: The White Paper, Planning for a Sustainable Future (CM 7120), explains that the Secretary of State will decide who to appoint as members of the infrastructure planning commission, and that this decision would be made on the basis of the individual's expertise in fields such as planning, law, environment, community engagement and several others. The Secretary of State will make appointments in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice, in order to ensure transparency.
	Furthermore, the chief executive of the infrastructure planning commission will appoint people to serve on the organisation's secretariat who have expertise in relevant fields that the commission will consider, including community engagement.

Isle of Man: Revenue

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much revenue they received from the Government of the Isle of Man in each of the past five financial years; and what services were provided to the Isle of Man in return for this revenue.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The UK Government are constitutionally responsible for defence and international representation of the Crown Dependencies. The Isle of Man raises its own public revenue and does not receive subsidies from or pay contribution to the UK. It does, however, make an annual voluntary contribution towards the cost of defence and international representation by the UK. This voluntary contribution amounts to:
	
		
			 Year In respect of: Amount  
			 2003 2002-03 £1,936,131.96 (after deduction of £260,000.00*) 
			 2004 2003-04 £2,251,035.26  
			 2005 2004-05 £2,307,311.14  
			 2006 2005-06 £2,364,993.92  
			 2007 2006-07 £2,424,118.77  
		
	
	*Deduction of £260k was in respect of a refund to Isle of Man Government for 26 Far East Prisoners of War.
	In addition, there are a number of agreements between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Isle of Man that result in transfers of moneys in both directions. These are numerous and reflect a normal relationship between two close neighbours and trading partners.
	Examples of the reciprocal agreements described in the Answer are national insurance and benefits arrangements, reciprocal payments in respect of treatment of patients on the National Health Service, VAT-sharing arrangements, etc. As well as reciprocal arrangements, the Isle of Man Government also purchase numerous services from the UK Government on a varying contractual basis. This is a normal supplier-customer relationship and covers areas such as higher education (based on students and courses) the Government Actuary's Department, inspection regimes, prison service, Treasury Solicitors etc.

Justice: Public Order Act

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to relinquish the Attorney-General's power to sanction prosecutions (a) in proceedings brought under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986; and (b) in regard to offences committed under other legislation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: On 26 July, the Government issued their consultation paper on the role of the Attorney-General. The Government are consulting on all aspects of the Attorney-General's role, including my statutory powers to consent to certain prosecutions. Decisions on whether any changes should be made to those powers will be taken in the light of that consultation.

Kenya: Daniel Moi

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have received from or on behalf of the Government of Kenya in relation to United Kingdom bank accounts containing alleged proceeds of corruption or money-laundering during President Moi's term of office; what response they have made to those representations; and whether they expect any money to be recovered.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Kenyan authorities have not yet approached the UK for assistance on asset retrieval. Our High Commissioner in Nairobi has, on numerous occasions, advised the Kenyan authorities that the UK stands ready to assist.

Northern Ireland: Speech by Peter Hain

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Rooker on 23 July (WA 74) and 9 July (WA 202), whether it is normal practice when planning the distribution of a document, to select individuals and organisations locally, nationally and internationally with an interest in Northern Ireland affairs without creating a list; and whether they will reconsider these Answers.

Lord Rooker: The information is not available. The distribution of the publication referred to in the noble Lord's previous Question was a one-off exercise. The publication was distributed from various parts of my department and no lists were created in advance or retained.

Pensions: Investment in Sudan

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent pension funds controlled by them have been divesting from businesses that support the Government of Sudan.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The majority of public service schemes including Civil Service and NHS are unfunded schemes, which means that schemes do not have pension funds which they invest. The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded scheme and investment decisions taken by local authorities with responsibilities for the management and investment of pension funds are a matter for those individual authorities acting within a statutory framework—the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998.

Pensions: Investment in Sudan

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent Civil Service pension funds and any other funds controlled by the Government have been divesting from businesses that invest in the Sudanese economy, in light of the ongoing crisis in Darfur.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The majority of public service schemes, including Civil Service and NHS, are unfunded schemes, which means that schemes do not have pension funds which they invest. The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded scheme and investment decisions taken by local authorities with responsibilities for the management and investment of pension funds are a matter for those individual authorities acting within a statutory framework—the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 5 February (WA 101), why the Answer differed substantially from a Written Answer to the same Question given by the Minister of State for the Northern Ireland Office, Paul Goggins, on 17 July (HC Deb, 185W); and which is the correct reply.

Lord Rooker: As none of the senior officers referred to by Mr Mark Durkan (Member for Foyle) on 24 January was named by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in her report into the circumstances surrounding the death of Raymond McCord Junior, nor had they been identified publicly, it would not, at the time that the noble Lord asked his Question, have been appropriate for Government to make any comment about whether or not they had been interviewed by the ombudsman and the noble Lord was therefore advised to refer his questions directly to the ombudsman. Since then, the senior officers in question have identified themselves to the public and have stated publicly that none of them has been formally interviewed in connection with any alleged offence in the course of the ombudsman's investigation. This allowed a further Answer to be given by the Minister of State on 17 July.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 16 July (WA 6), whether the disciplinary proceedings against Constable Purcell, which the Answer indicated had been instigated subsequent to 29 November 2004, relate to the incident on 13 July 2001; whether Constable Purcell was the subject of any misconduct interview on or after 29 November 2004; and whether the Minister has any further reply to make.

Lord Rooker: I am advised by the Chief Constable that the misconduct proceedings previously referred to do relate to the incident on 13 July 2001. It would not be appropriate to make any further comment about the conduct of individual misconduct proceedings.

Taxation: Top Rate

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 10 October 2005 (WA 87-8), whether they will publish in the same form the top rate of direct tax in the United Kingdom for each year from 1975-76 to 2007-08.

Lord Davies of Oldham: An updated version of the table given in my reply to the noble Lord on 10 October 2005 (WA87-8) is given below.
	
		
			  Single/Basic, non-aged personal allowance for a man with no children Taxable income above which the highest rate is charged Highest rate of income tax charged Financial year average retail price index Single/Basic, non-aged personal allowance for a man with no children at 2006-07 prices Taxable income above which the highest rate is charged at 2006-07 prices 
			 1975-76 675 20,000 98.00 35.91 3,765 111,568 
			 1976-77 735 20,000 98.00 41.40 3,556 96,773 
			 1977-78 945 21,000 98.00 47.19 4,011 89,144 
			 1978-79 965 24,000 98.00 51.11 3,782 94,065 
			 1979-80 1,165 25,000 75.00 59.19 3,943 84,609 
			 1980-81 1,375 27,750 75.00 68.85 4,001 80,739 
			 1981-82 1,375 27,750 75.00 76.77 3,588 72,410 
			 1982-83 1,565 31,500 75.00 82.20 3,814 76,765 
			 1983-84 1,785 36,000 75.00 86.03 4,156 83,826 
			 1984-85 2,005 38,100 60.00 90.37 4,444 84,455 
			 1985-86 2,205 40,200 60.00 95.71 4,615 84,138 
			 1986-87 2,335 41,200 60.00 98.78 4,735 83,551 
			 1987-88 2,425 41,200 60.00 102.72 4,729 80,346 
			 1988-89 2,605 19,300 40.00 108.88 4,793 35,509 
			 1989-90 2,785 20,700 40.00 107.38 4,753 35,326 
			 1990-91 3,005 20,700 40.00 128.74 4,676 32,209 
			 1991-92 3,295 23,700 40.00 134.85 4,895 35,206 
			 1992-93 3,445 23,700 40.00 139.11 4,961 34,128 
			 1993-94 3,445 23,700 40.00 141.48 4,878 33,557 
			 1994-95 3,445 23,700 40.00 145.35 4,748 32,663 
			 1995-96 3,525 24,300 40.00 150.08 4,705 32,435 
			 1996-97 3,765 25,500 40.00 153.73 4,906 33,228 
			 1997-98 4,045 26,100 40.00 158.81 5,102 32,922 
			 1998-99 4,195 27,100 40.00 163.76 5,132 33,150 
			 1999-2000 4,335 28,000 40.00 166.35 5,220 33,718 
			 2000-01 4,385 28,400 40.00 171.33 5,127 33,205 
			 2001-02 4,535 29,400 40.00 173.88 5,225 33,871 
			 2002-03 4,615 29,900 40.00 177.52 5,208 33740 
			 2003-04 4,615 30,500 40.00 182.48 5,066 33,482 
			 2004-05 4,745 31,400 40.00 188.15 5,052 33,431 
			 2005-06 4,895 32,400 40.00 193.11 5,078 33,610 
			 2006-07 5,035 33,300 40 200.32 5,035 33,300 
			 2007-08 5,225 34,600 40 Note 3 Note 3 Note 3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A single personal allowance was replaced with a basic personal allowance in 1990-91
	2. For 1975-76 to 1983-84, the highest rate charged includes investment income surcharge at 15 per cent, but this total rate would apply only if the taxpayer's income included investment income greater than the threshold for the highest rate of surcharge, which varied between £2,000 in 1973-74 and £7,100 in 1983-84.
	3. Financial yearly average RPI available only up to 2006-07.

Uganda: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the Government of Uganda regarding the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the use of excessive force in disarming the Karamojong tribe in northern Uganda; and whether they will provide assistance to the Government of Uganda for the training of army and police in the use of minimum necessary force.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK, as a member of the local donor grouping on Peace and Democratisation in Uganda, regularly raise our concerns on human rights with the Government of Uganda. The last such meeting was with Foreign Minister Kutesa on 24 July. Although the details of these discussions are private, I can confirm that Karamoja is discussed.
	I welcome the latest report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which states that the human rights situation in the Karamoja region has witnessed significant improvements over the past four months. A copy of this report will be placed in Library of the House.
	The UK, through the Department for International Development, has provided support to the Ugandan police force's emergency action plan in northern Uganda, that aims to increase the presence and quality of civilian policing in the north, including Karamoja. To avoid replication, donor support in this area is co-ordinated through the Justice Law and Order Sector Working Group. In Karamoja, the Dutch are the lead donors in providing support and training to the Ugandan People's Defence Force. This includes training in human rights.
	Answers received between Monday 24 September and Monday 1 October 2007

Flooding

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will seek emergency financial assistance from the European Union allocations available to member states to help with the recent floods in England.

Baroness Andrews: An application for support from the European Union solidarity fund was lodged with the European Commission on 20 August 2007.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many families which include children are currently held in detention.

Lord West of Spithead: Families with children can be detained at Dungavel House, Tinsley House and Yarl's Wood removal centres. The number of detainees held in our removal centres may change from day to day.
	Information obtained on Friday 7 September shows that there were a total of 32 families with children in detention. The total number of children detained as part of these family groups was 61.

Immigration: Fast-track Procedure

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consult with the charity Bail for Immigration Detainees concerning new evidence on alleged injustices arising from the fast-track for asylum-applicants and consequent detentions lasting for between five and 11 months; and whether fast-tracking allows applicants the necessary time and advice to prepare their cases and have them heard in accordance with the United Nations Convention on Refugees of 1951.

Lord West of Spithead: The Border and Immigration Agency regularly consults Bail for Immigration Detainees and will consider carefully any such evidence the charity wishes to submit.
	The detained fast-track process exists to deal with applications for asylum that appear, after screening, to be ones where a particularly quick decision can be made. The system operates flexibly and in cases where it becomes apparent that an application is more complicated and cannot be determined within the detained fast-track timescale, the case is taken out of the process and the claimant normally released from detention. All those entering the detained fast track have access to legal representation either privately or via a duty solicitor scheme. The Government believe that the process provides claimants with the necessary time and opportunity to enable their applications to be justly decided and heard.

Iraq: Deaths in Custody

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Iraqis have died while in the custody of United Kingdom Armed Forces in each year since 2003 inclusive; what are the comparable figures for Iraqis held by United States forces; and what are the figures for Iraqis who suffered serious injury while in military custody.

Lord Drayson: Since the establishment of a central UK detention facility in December 2003 there have been no deaths or injuries as a result of the actions of UK personnel guarding that facility.
	Since operations commenced in 2003, there have been 44 investigations related to the death or ill treatment of Iraqi detainees in UK custody. Of these, all cases have been closed, two cases were dealt with summarily by the chain of command and three cases were dealt with by courts martial.
	The UK does not hold information on comparable figures for detainees held by other nations that make up the multi-national force in Iraq.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will arrange for the Identity and Passport Service routinely to collect information on how many applicants for replacements for passports lost or stolen have previously reported a passport lost or stolen.

Lord West of Spithead: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) notes every instance of an application for the replacement of a passport and routinely checks its records during the application process to see if the applicants for replacement passports have previously reported another passport lost or stolen. IPS is looking into whether there is an efficient and effective way to collate the individual data into a routine report on how many applicants for replacement passports have previously reported a passport lost or stolen. This work should be completed in the next two months.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many blank United Kingdom passports have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

Lord West of Spithead: There have been no reported losses or thefts of blank United Kingdom passports in the past five years.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Identity and Passport Service routinely checks whether every applicant for a replacement for a lost or stolen passport has previously reported a passport lost or stolen; if so, whether applicants who have previously applied are subjected to additional checks; and whether the fees levied reflect the cost of such checks.

Lord West of Spithead: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) does routinely check its records during the application process to see if the applicants for replacement passports have previously reported another passport as lost or stolen.
	All passport applications received by IPS are subject to a variety of system and manual checks to detect and prevent fraud. Applications for replacement passports must be accompanied by an additional declaration and details relating to the loss or theft which gave rise to the application. These additional details are used to conduct further checks in the event that the passport application is not straightforward or appears suspicious.
	The fees to replace lost or stolen passports are the same as for applications for new passports and renewals.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Identity and Passport Service is routinely informed when passport holders are given custodial sentences; and whether it is technically possible, and legal, for the validity of those passports to be suspended until the passport holder is released from custody.

Lord West of Spithead: The Identity and Passport Service is not routinely informed when a passport holder is given a custodial sentence, except where the court also makes a travel restriction order under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Such orders are available on conviction for certain drug offences and take effect on the release of the prisoner. The prisoner's passport can be confiscated or cancelled on the IPS database.
	There is no facility on the IPS database to temporarily suspend the validity of UK passports.

Prisoners: Deportation

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prisoners placed in detention or removal centres at the end of their sentences have been repatriated in each month of the current year.

Lord West of Spithead: The information requested is not centrally held and can be obtained only through disproportionate cost. On 14 June the chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency wrote to the Home Affairs Committee to provide the most recent information available on the deportation of foreign national prisoners.
	A copy of this letter is available from the Library of the House.

Terrorism: 21 July Bombers

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any proposals to award United Kingdom citizenship to Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussein Osman citizenship at the end of their prison sentences.

Lord West of Spithead: Our policy is to review in appropriate cases an individual's immigration or citizenship status in light of his or her conviction but it would be inappropriate to comment on the action that might be taken in any particular case.

Terrorism: Deportations

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 20 July (WA 60) stating that nine individuals considered to pose a threat to the United Kingdom's national security have been deported since July 2005, whether that is the total number of individuals identified as a threat; or whether others have been identified but not deported.

Lord West of Spithead: In addition to those referred to in my Answer of 20 July there are other foreign nationals, considered to pose a national security threat to the United Kingdom, whose cases are subject to deportation orders and which are at various stages in the deportation process.